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Impact evaluation of school feeding programmes in Lao People's Democratic Republic

Author

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  • Alison Buttenheim
  • Harold Alderman
  • Jed Friedman

Abstract

Despite the popularity and widespread implementation of school feeding programmes, evidence of their impact on school participation and nutritional status is mixed. In this study we evaluate feeding programmes in three districts of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Feeding modalities included on-site feeding, take-home rations, and a combined modality. District-level implementation of the intervention sites and selective take-up presented considerable evaluation challenges. To address these, we use difference-in-difference estimators with propensity-score weighting to construct plausible counterfactuals. We find minimal evidence that school feeding increased enrolment or improved nutritional status. Several robustness checks and possible explanations for null findings are presented.

Suggested Citation

  • Alison Buttenheim & Harold Alderman & Jed Friedman, 2011. "Impact evaluation of school feeding programmes in Lao People's Democratic Republic," Journal of Development Effectiveness, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 3(4), pages 520-542, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jdevef:v:3:y:2011:i:4:p:520-542
    DOI: 10.1080/19439342.2011.634511
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kazianga, Harounan & de Walque, Damien & Alderman, Harold, 2014. "School feeding programs, intrahousehold allocation and the nutrition of siblings: Evidence from a randomized trial in rural Burkina Faso," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 15-34.
    2. repec:wbk:wbpubs:7409 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. repec:wbk:wbpubs:2634 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Cited by:

    1. Roxana Elena Manea, 2021. "School Feeding Programmes, Education and Food Security in Rural Malawi," CIES Research Paper series 63-2020, Centre for International Environmental Studies, The Graduate Institute.
    2. Robert D. Osei & Monica P. Lambon-Quayefio, 2022. "Effects of Long-Term Malnutrition on Education Outcomes in Ghana: Evidence from a Panel Study," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 34(1), pages 1-21, February.
    3. Wang, Haining & Cheng, Zhiming, 2022. "Kids eat free: School feeding and family spending on education," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 196-212.
    4. repec:wbk:wbpubs:21365 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Guan, Zhen & He, Yang & Shi, Xinjie & Zhang, Chen, 2025. "The long-term impact of the nutrition improvement program on children’s education outcomes: Empirical evidence from rural China," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    6. Shivani Gharge & Sayeed Unisa, 2024. "Dropout and Retention Among School Children in the Context of the Mid-Day Meal Programme in India," Margin: The Journal of Applied Economic Research, National Council of Applied Economic Research, vol. 18(3-4), pages 282-309, November.
    7. Pouirkèta Rita Nikiema, 2017. "Impact of school feeding programmes on educational outcomes: Evidence from dry cereals in schools in Burkina Faso," WIDER Working Paper Series 182, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    8. Roxana Elena Manea, 2020. "School Feeding Programmes, Education and Food Security in Rural Malawi," CIES Research Paper series 63-2020, Centre for International Environmental Studies, The Graduate Institute.
    9. Pouirkèta Rita Nikiema, 2017. "Impact of school feeding programmes on educational outcomes: Evidence from dry cereals in schools in Burkina Faso," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2017-182, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    10. Jonathan Ogbonna Igboji & MaryJoy Umoke & Nkiru Edith Obande-Ogbuinya & Martins Nonso Agu & Oby Justina Mbamalu, 2022. "Perception of Head Teachers and Education Secretaries on Home Grown School Feeding Program in Nigeria," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, May.

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