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Mobile Phones, Civic Engagement, and School Performance in Pakistan

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  • Asim, Minahil
  • Dee, Thomas S.

Abstract

The effective governance of local public services depends critically on the civic engagement of local citizens. However, recent efforts to promote effective citizen oversight of the public-sector services in developing countries have had mixed results. This study discusses and evaluates a uniquely designed, low-cost, scalable program designed to improve the governance and performance of primary and middle schools in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The School Council Mobilization Program (SCMP) used mobile-phone calls to provide sustained and targeted guidance to local school-council members on their responsibilities and authority. We examine the effects of the SCMP on school enrollment, and student and teacher attendance, using a “difference-in-difference-in-differences” (DDD) design based on the targeted implementation of the SCMP. We find that this initiative led to meaningful increases in primary-school enrollment (i.e., a 4.0 percent increase), and the improvements were sustained in the months after the program concluded.

Suggested Citation

  • Asim, Minahil & Dee, Thomas S., 2022. "Mobile Phones, Civic Engagement, and School Performance in Pakistan," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:89:y:2022:i:c:s0272775722000310
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2022.102254
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    Cited by:

    1. Rosa, Leonardo & Martins, Marcelo & Carnoy, Martin, 2019. "Achievement gains from reconfiguring early schooling: The case of Brazil's primary education reform," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 1-12.
    2. Panchali Guha, 2022. "The effects of school‐based management on Indian government schools," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(4), pages 2090-2108, November.
    3. Asim,Salman & Riaz,Amina, 2020. "Community Engagement in Schools : Evidence from a Field Experiment in Pakistan," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9280, The World Bank.

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    JEL classification:

    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development

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