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Improving learning outcomes in francophone Africa: More resources or improved efficiency?
Author(s) -
Miningou Élisé Wendlassida,
PierreLouis Medjy,
Bernard JeanMarc
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
african development review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.654
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1467-8268
pISSN - 1017-6772
DOI - 10.1111/1467-8268.12615
Subject(s) - inefficiency , absenteeism , french , data envelopment analysis , developing country , business , environmental economics , economics , environmental resource management , economic growth , geography , microeconomics , management , archaeology , mathematical optimization , mathematics
The lack of resources is often highlighted as the most important correlate of poor learning outcomes in developing countries. However, increasing school resources may not necessarily drive better learning if resources are not properly translated into learning outcomes. This paper investigates the efficient utilization of school resources to promote learning. It tries to better understand the extent to which efficiency plays a role in the relationship between school resources and learning outcomes. Applying the Data Envelopment Analysis methodology, an efficiency analysis is performed using the PASEC 2014 learning assessment that covers 10 francophone West and Central African countries. The results show that the efficiency of school resource utilization varies across countries and across schools within the same countries. The relationship between some of the key elements of school resources and learning is weak in the least efficient schools. This suggests that resources allocated to the least efficient schools should consider first addressing inefficiency issues. While efficiency drivers may vary depending on the country's specific contexts, findings show that student absenteeism, community engagement in school management, teaching time and school environment seem to play a role in school efficiency.