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School-level resource allocation and education outcomes in Sri Lanka

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  • Abayasekara, Ashani
  • Arunatilake, Nisha

Abstract

Sri Lanka’s public education system suffers from poor examination outcomes and wide disparities in academic achievement across schools. Using School Census data for the year 2016 and a multilevel modelling technique, we examine the link between school-level resources and student performance at the O-Levels. Controlling for several factors, we find that schools with larger shares of in-field and experienced teachers and qualified principals perform better at the O-Levels. Teacher commitment—measured by teacher absenteeism—also matters. Our findings hold several policy implications for improving the equity of school-level resource allocation and, subsequently, educational outcomes in Sri Lanka.

Suggested Citation

  • Abayasekara, Ashani & Arunatilake, Nisha, 2018. "School-level resource allocation and education outcomes in Sri Lanka," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 127-141.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:injoed:v:61:y:2018:i:c:p:127-141
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2017.12.010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Kyriakides, Leonidas & Stylianou, Andreas & Eliophotou Menon, Maria, 2019. "The link between educational expenditures and student learning outcomes: Evidence from Cyprus," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 1-1.
    2. Lipeng Chen & Yang Yu & Amsalu K. Addis & Xiao Guo, 2022. "Empirical Assessment and Comparison of Educational Efficiency between Major Countries across the World," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-17, March.
    3. de Silva, Tiloka & Gothama, Supun & Premakumara, Priyantha, 2021. "Admissions quotas in university education: Targeting and mismatch under Sri Lanka’s affirmative action policy," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).

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