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The Impact of Conditional Cash Transfers on Children´s School Achievement: Evidence from Colombia

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  • Sandra García
  • Jennifer Hill

Abstract

During the last decade, conditional cash transfer programs have expanded in developingcountries as a way to increase school enrollment and deter youth from dropping out of school. However, despite evidence of these programs´ positive impact on school enrollment and attendance, little is known about their impact on school achievement. Thus, using data from the Colombian conditional cash transfer program Familias en Acción, this study estimated the effect of the conditional subsidy on school achievement. It found that the program does have a positive effect on school achievement for children aged 7 to 12 living in rural areas but practically no effect for the same population living in urban areas. Moreover, the program may actually have a negative effect on the school achievement of adolescents, particularly those living in rural areas. Possible mechanisms of these effects are explored and discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Sandra García & Jennifer Hill, 2009. "The Impact of Conditional Cash Transfers on Children´s School Achievement: Evidence from Colombia," Documentos CEDE 5403, Universidad de los Andes, Facultad de Economía, CEDE.
    • Handle: RePEc:col:000089:005403
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    1. Christilyn Juarez Arcayna & Jonelyn Juarez Arcayna & Resty Juarez Arcayna, 2021. "Implementation of 4PS Conditional Cash Transfer and Students’ School Attendance in Don Vicente Romualdez National High School," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 5(12), pages 907-922, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    policy analysis; student achievement; subsidies; conditional cash transfers;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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