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Selective Secondary Education and School Participation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Malawi

Author

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  • Jacobus de Hoop

    (VU University Amsterdam)

Abstract

Large scale tracking policies, allowing academically apt pupils to enter a select group of secondary schools, can be found in many Sub-Saharan countries. However, evidence on the impact of these policies on school outcomes, especially school participation, is limited. This paper fills this gap by providing regression discontinuity evidence on the impact of Malawi's tracking program. The analysis is based on unique institutional data covering an entire cohort of pupils. Estimates show that Malawi's tracking program raises school participation of top students without a reduction in pupil learning. These findings have implications for education policy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Jacobus de Hoop, 2010. "Selective Secondary Education and School Participation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Malawi," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 10-041/2, Tinbergen Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20100041
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Park, Albert & Shi, Xinzheng & Hsieh, Chang-tai & An, Xuehui, 2015. "Magnet high schools and academic performance in China: A regression discontinuity design," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 43(4), pages 825-843.
    2. Derksen, Laura & Michaud-Leclerc, Catherine & Souza, Pedro C.L., 2022. "Restricted access: How the internet can be used to promote reading and learning," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    3. Derksen, Laura & Leclerc, Catherine Michaud & Souza, Pedro CL, 2019. "Searching for Answers : The Impact of Student Access to Wikipedia," The Warwick Economics Research Paper Series (TWERPS) 1236, University of Warwick, Department of Economics.
    4. Monica J. Grant, 2015. "The Demographic Promise of Expanded Female Education: Trends in the Age at First Birth in Malawi," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 41(3), pages 409-438, September.
    5. Caroline Ayoti & Grace Koteng & Raphael Ongunya Odhiambo, 2016. "Physical Determinants of Educational Resources Management for Enhancing Students’ Performance in Secondary Schools in Vihiga County, Kenya," Research Journal of Education, Academic Research Publishing Group, vol. 2(7), pages 121-128, 07-2016.
    6. Eunice Atieno Agingu, 2017. "School Differences in the Predictive Validity of Primary School Examinations among Secondary School Students in Kenya," International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, vol. 7(12), pages 1042-1052, December.
    7. Mingming Ma & Xinzheng Shi, 2014. "Magnet Classes and Educational Performance: Evidence from China," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 62(3), pages 537-566.
    8. Kafumbu, Fatsani Thomas, 2020. "An analytical report on the status of financing of secondary education in Malawi," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    9. Zeitlyn, Benjamin & Lewin, Keith M. & Chimombo, Joseph & Meke, Elizabeth, 2015. "Inside private secondary schools in Malawi: Access or exclusion?," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 109-117.
    10. Derksen, Laura & Leclerc, Catherine Michaud & Souza, Pedro CL, 2019. "Searching for Answers: The Impact of Student Access to Wikipedia," CAGE Online Working Paper Series 450, Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE).
    11. Owen Ozier, 2018. "The Impact of Secondary Schooling in Kenya: A Regression Discontinuity Analysis," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 53(1), pages 157-188.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    education; Malawi; regression discontinuity; Sub-Saharan Africa; tracking;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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