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Consequences of secondary school closures for learning in South Africa: Evidence from university application and enrolment data

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  • Branson, Nicola
  • Whitelaw, Emma

Abstract

We investigate the consequences of pandemic-related school closures on twelfth grade learning, leveraging university application and enrolment data from a selective public university in South Africa. Using difference-in-difference estimation strategies, we find suggestive evidence of learning losses in the school-leaving qualification in 2020, concentrated among lower achieving applicants. We also find a growing achievement gap between lower and higher performing applicants in mathematics. Losses are further reflected in a lower Grade Point Average among 2020 high school graduates who enrolled in university in 2021, compared to those who enrolled in 2021 but graduated high school before 2020.

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  • Branson, Nicola & Whitelaw, Emma, 2024. "Consequences of secondary school closures for learning in South Africa: Evidence from university application and enrolment data," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:injoed:v:108:y:2024:i:c:s0738059324000841
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2024.103062
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    References listed on IDEAS

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