| Number |
CREPEDP-60 |
| Publication Date |
October 2019 |
| Title |
Fighting Against Learning Crisis in Developing Countries:
A Randomized Experiment of Self-Learning at the Right
Level
|
| Author(s) |
Yasuyuki Sawada, Minhaj Mahmud, Mai Seki, An Le, and Hikaru Kawarazaki
|
| Abstract |
This paper investigates the effectiveness of a globally popular method of self-learning at the right level in improving the cognitive and non-cognitive abilities of disadvantaged pupils in a developing country, Bangladesh. Using a randomized control trial design, we find substantial improvement in cognitive ability measured by mathematics test scores and catch-up effects on non-cognitive ability measured by a pupil self-esteem measure. These findings are consistent with a longer-term impact found in take-up rates and scores on a national-level primary school completion exam. Moreover, the teachers' ability to assess student performance substantially improves. Based on our estimates, program benefit exceeds cost in a plausible way. Above findings suggest that self-learning at right level can effectively address the learning crisis by improving the quality of primary education in developing countries.
|
| Keywords |
education, self-learning, cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes, developing countries, randomized control trial |
| Other information |
Paper in English (45 pages), Revised as CREPEDP-85 (2020) |