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Estimating the impact of private tutoring on academic performance: primary students in Sri Lanka

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  • Rachel Cole

Abstract

Worldwide private tutoring is documented extensively, but its impact is unclear. I estimate the impact of tutoring on performance to assess the degree to which tutoring is a vehicle of educational stratification in Sri Lanka. I find that on average, five months of tutoring has no impact on Year 5 students’ exam scores. I produce suggestive evidence impacts vary only slightly with advantage; so its impact on stratification is likely minimal. Policy-makers may want to urge parents to reconsider sending their children to tutoring, and further research should identify stratification mechanisms.

Suggested Citation

  • Rachel Cole, 2017. "Estimating the impact of private tutoring on academic performance: primary students in Sri Lanka," Education Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(2), pages 142-157, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:edecon:v:25:y:2017:i:2:p:142-157
    DOI: 10.1080/09645292.2016.1196163
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Obbey Elamin & Reham Rizk & John Adams, 2019. "Private tutoring and parents decision to work more: evidence from Egypt," Education Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(2), pages 132-154, March.
    2. Ankush Agrawal & Parul Gupta & Debasis Mondal, 2024. "Determinants of Private Tutoring Demand in Rural India," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 60(1), pages 83-107, January.
    3. Pradeep Kumar Choudhury & Angrej Singh Gill & Amit Kumar, 2024. "What drives demand for private tutoring in secondary education? Evidence from India," Journal of Social and Economic Development, Springer;Institute for Social and Economic Change, vol. 26(3), pages 816-839, December.
    4. Zhang, Yuhuan & Wu, Xiaohui & Cui, Chengcheng & Chen, Shuang & He, Yahan & Wang, Lidong, 2024. "Effect of private tutoring on students’ non-cognitive mathematics learning outcomes in China," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    5. Sarah L Holloway & Helena Pimlott-Wilson, 2021. "Solo self-employment, entrepreneurial subjectivity and the security–precarity continuum: Evidence from private tutors in the supplementary education industry," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 53(6), pages 1547-1564, September.
    6. Asankha Pallegedara & Ajantha Sisira Kumara, 2020. "Spending privately for education despite having a free public education policy: evidence from Sri Lankan household surveys," International Journal of Social Economics, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 47(5), pages 561-580, May.
    7. McCoy, Selina & Byrne, Delma & O'Sullivan, Jessica & Smyth, Emer, 2019. "The early impact of the revised Leaving Certificate grading scheme on student perceptions and behaviour," Research Series, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), number RS85.
    8. Mandikiana, Brian W., 2021. "Choice and expenditure: A double hurdle model of private tutoring in Qatar," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 1-15.

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