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Evaluating universal primary education in Uganda: School fee abolition and educational outcomes

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  • Sophia Kan
  • Stephan Klasen

Abstract

This paper analyzes the effect of lifting primary school fees on educational attainment in Uganda. After the abolishment of school fees in 1997, the enrollment rate more than doubled. Two decades later, we know little about the effect of the policy on educational attainment. With recent data on eight cohorts exposed to free education, we analyze the impact of the policy on years of completed primary school, completion of primary school, and transitioning to secondary school. We use a straightforward regression analysis with cohort dummies and household fixed effects to control for unobserved heterogeneity. We find that lifting school fees had no effect on the years of primary school achievement and the likelihood of primary school completion. We find some weak evidence that the likelihood of those who completed primary education to start secondary school increased after Universal Primary Education.

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  • Sophia Kan & Stephan Klasen, 2021. "Evaluating universal primary education in Uganda: School fee abolition and educational outcomes," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(1), pages 116-147, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:rdevec:v:25:y:2021:i:1:p:116-147
    DOI: 10.1111/rode.12725
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    2. Hoadley, Ursula, 2024. "How do structured pedagogy programmes affect reading instruction in African early grade classrooms?," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    3. Mugume, Regean & Bulime, Enock.N.W., 2024. "Does institutional quality matter for primary school retention? Lessons from Uganda," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    4. Burlando, Alfredo, 2023. "Tuition fees and the intra-household allocation of schooling: Evidence from Uganda’s Free Primary Education reform," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    5. Livini Donath & Oliver Morrissey & Trudy Owens, 2023. "Benefits of enhanced access to education in Tanzania," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 41(3), May.
    6. Fredrick Nsambu Kijjambu & Benjamin Musiita & Asaph Kaburura Katarangi, 2024. "Human Capital Development and Unemployment in Uganda: The Keynesian Theory of Unemployment in Perspective," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 16(1), pages 94-108.

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