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Food for Thought?: Experimental Evidence on the Learning Impacts of a Large-Scale School Feeding Program

Author

Listed:
  • Elisabetta Aurino
  • Aulo Gelli
  • Clement Adamba
  • Isaac Osei-Akoto
  • Harold Alderman

Abstract

There is limited experimental evidence on the effects of large-scale, government-led interventions on human capital in resource-constrained settings. We report results from a randomized trial of the government of Ghana's school feeding. After two years, the program led to moderate average increases in math and literacy standardized scores among pupils in treatment communities and to larger achievement gains for girls and disadvantaged children and regions. Improvements in child schooling, cognition, and nutrition constituted suggestive impact mechanisms, especially for educationally disadvantaged groups. The program combined equitable human capital accumulation with social protection, contributing to the “learning for all” sustainable development agenda.

Suggested Citation

  • Elisabetta Aurino & Aulo Gelli & Clement Adamba & Isaac Osei-Akoto & Harold Alderman, 2023. "Food for Thought?: Experimental Evidence on the Learning Impacts of a Large-Scale School Feeding Program," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 58(1), pages 74-111.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:58:y:2023:i:1:p:74-111
    Note: DOI: 10.3368/jhr.58.3.1019-10515R1
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    File URL: http://jhr.uwpress.org/cgi/reprint/58/1/74
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    Cited by:

    1. Raju,Dhushyanth & Younger,Stephen D. & Dadzie,Christabel Ewuradjoa, 2023. "Social Protection Program Spending and Household Welfare in Ghana," Social Protection Discussion Papers and Notes 181666, The World Bank.
    2. Zhou, Yanran & Ren, Jingru & Zheng, Xiaodong, 2024. "Feeding for a brighter future: The long-term labor market consequences of school meals in rural China," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    3. Ã lvaro Choi, 2023. "The Impact of Compulsory Schooling Expansion on Educational Outcomes: The Case of Indonesia," UB School of Economics Working Papers 2023/452, University of Barcelona School of Economics.
    4. Danilo Cavapozzi & Enrico Fornasiero & Teresa Randazzo, 2024. "The Effects of the Indian Mid-Day Meal Scheme on Cognitive and Health Outcomes of Children in Andhra Pradesh," Working Papers 2024: 14, Department of Economics, University of Venice "Ca' Foscari".

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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