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Decentralization’s effects on educational outcomes in Bolivia and Colombia

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  • Faguet, Jean-Paul
  • Sanchez, Fabio

Abstract

The effects of decentralization on public sector outputs is much debated but little agreed upon. This paper compares the remarkable case of Bolivia with the more complex case of Colombia to explore decentralization’s effects on public education outcomes. In Colombia, decentralization of education finance improved enrollment rates in public schools. In Bolivia, decentralization made government more responsive by re-directing public investment to areas of greatest need. In both countries, investment shifted from infrastructure to primary social services. In both, it was the behavior of smaller, poorer, more rural municipalities that drove these changes.

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  • Faguet, Jean-Paul & Sanchez, Fabio, 2006. "Decentralization’s effects on educational outcomes in Bolivia and Colombia," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 2397, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:2397
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    decentralization; education; public investment; Bolivia; Colombia; local government;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H0 - Public Economics - - General

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