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Education Research from the Development Research Group

Over and above their intrinsic value, investments in education are crucial for economic development in low- and middle-income countries due to their transformative impact on human capital formation, productivity enhancement, and sustainable growth. The Development Research Group (DECRG) at the World Bank conducts cutting-edge research on education a) to understand the global patterns in educational attainment and b) to test and evaluate programs and interventions aimed at improving both the quantity and the quality of education from early childhood development to the school to work transition.

This page highlights research on the topic of education produced by the DECRG in collaboration with research partners at the World Bank and other institutions.

DECRG's recent portfolio of work (completed and ongoing) on education can be broadly categorized into the following five thematic areas:

One crucial area of study is early childhood development (ECD). Understanding the impact of early experiences on cognitive, social, and emotional development lays the foundation for effective interventions that support children's readiness for school and lifelong learning.

 
Alaka Holla, Lelys Dinarte-Diaz, Magdalena Bendini, Iva Trako \ 


Lelys Dinarte-Diaz
, Francisco Haimovich, Mauricio Romero, and Marcela Silveyra


Lelys Dinarte-Diaz
, Saravana Ravindran, Manisha Shah, Shawn Powers, and Helen Baker-Henningham |  |


Sofia Amaral, Lelys Dinarte-Diaz, Patricio Dominguez, and Santiago Perez-Vincent, Journal of Development Economics, 2023 |


F. Morrison, M. Montoya, M. Susperreguey, Lelys Dinarte-Diaz, C. Rojas, C. F?ster, and E. San Martin, Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 2019

Is Fade-Out a Myth? The Medium-Term Effects of an At-Scale Preschool Program in a Low-Capacity Context
Marina Bassi, Lelys Dinarte-Diaz, Saravana Ravindran, Ana Reynoso, and Bruno Besbas

Empowering Afghan Caregivers Through a Resilient Mobile Parenting Intervention
Lelys Dinarte-Diaz,
Saher Asad, and Manisha Shah


Jan Berkes, Adrien Bouguen, Deon Filmer and Tsuyoshi Fukao, Journal of Public Economics, 230:105050, 2024 |

Joana Cardim, Pedro Carneiro, Leandro Carvalho, and Damien de Walque, World Bank Policy Research working paper 10187, 2022


Richard Akresh, Damien de Walque and Harounan Kazianga, Ongoing

The determinants of school participation and strategies to enhance it, is another important research area, recognizing that access to school is the starting point for the full benefits of education to be realized.

Keeping Girls in School: Evaluating the Case Management System in Zambia
S
Anukriti, and Kathleen Beegle.


Felipe Barrera-Osorio, Andreas de Barros, and Deon Filmer, Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 43(1):10-38, 2024


Richard Akresh, Damien de Walque and Harounan Kazianga, Ongoing


Damien de Walque, and Christine Valente, AEJ: Economic Policy 2023 15(3): 265-85 |


Kibrom Tafere

Another focus of research is the school-to-work transition, exploring pathways for youth to successfully transition from education to employment. Understanding the skills and competencies needed in the labor market, as well as the role of vocational training and entrepreneurship programs, informs policies and initiatives aimed at facilitating smooth transitions and fostering youth empowerment.


S Anukriti, Catalina Herrera-Almanza, and Sophie Ochmann

The Influence of COVID-19 on Young Women's Labor Market Aspirations and Expectations in India
S Anukriti, Catalina Herrera-Almanza, and Sophie Ochmann

Improving youth labor market outcomes in Sikkim: Impact Evaluation with a P4R operation in India
S Anukriti

Improving non-farm employment of women in Tamil Nadu: Impact Evaluation with a P4R operation in India
S Anukriti

Enhancing Apprenticeship Programs for Youth and Firms
Oyebola Okunogbe

Apprenticeships, Skills and the Transition to Work in Senegal
Fr¨¦d¨¦ric Aubery, John Giles, and David Sahn


Lelys Dinarte-Diaz, , and Marina Bassi

 In "" 
Lelys Dinarte-Diaz, and Marina Bassi, 2021


Lelys Dinarte-Diaz
, M. M. Ferreyra, S. Urzua, and M. Bassi, World Development, 2023 |


Lelys Dinarte-Diaz,
 M. M. Ferreyra, T. Melguizo, and A. Sanchez |

Education and learning outcomes measurement are central to assessing the effectiveness of educational interventions and guiding continuous improvement efforts. The evaluation of tutoring, mentoring, and other supportive mechanisms seeks to enhance learning outcomes and promote equitable access to quality education for all children.

Enhancing Apprenticeship Programs for Youth and Firms
Oyebola Okunogbe

The Impact of Role Models on Educational Aspirations: Evidence from Nigeria
Oyebola Okunogbe

Carolina Lopez and Astrid Pineda

Carolina Lopez

Michela Carlana, Eliana La Ferrara, Carolina Lopez, AEA Papers and Proceedings, vol. 113, 2023 


Lelys Dinarte-Diaz, and Pablo Egana, Journal of the European Economic Association |


Lelys Dinarte-Diaz, Policy Research Working Paper 9187, March 2020


Lelys Dinarte-Diaz
, Pablo Egana, Claudia Martinez, and Cindy Rojas, Policy Research Working Paper 9957, March 2022


B. Vasquez, and Lelys Dinarte-Diaz, Journal of Youth Development, 2021


Ciro Avitabile, Lelys Dinarte-Diaz, and Renata Lemos, Ongoing


Lelys Dinarte-Diaz
, Renata Lemos, Rony Rodriguez, James Gresham, and Harry Patrinos, Ongoing


Jacobus Cilliers, Lelys Dinarte-Diaz, Dave Evans, Carolina Rovira, and Magdalena Bendini, Ongoing


Jacobus Cilliers, Lelys Dinarte-Diaz, Dave Evans, Ongoing

Supporting Mental Health and Learning Through the Promotion of Psychosocial Support in Armenian schools
Lelys Dinarte-Diaz
, Rony Rodriguez, Renata Lemos, Ongoing

Externalities of Connectivity: Labor, Education, and Crime in El Salvador
Wilber Baires, Lelys Dinarte-Diaz, Carlos Schmidt-Padilla, and G. Khanna, Ongoing


Bhavya Srivastava, Kibrom Tafere and A. Patrick Behrer, Policy Research Working Paper 10714, March 2024

Public investments in health infrastructure during early life increase adult educational achievement
Kibrom Tafere, Ongoing

Curriculum reform and learning in primary schools in Guyana
Kibrom Tafere


Alice Danon, Jishnu Das, and Andreas de Barros and Deon Filmer, Journal of Development Economics, vol. 168, May 2024 |


Deon Filmer, Halsey Rogers, Noam Angrist, and Shwetlena Sabarwal, Economics of Education Review, vol. 77, August 2020 |

Research on education system reform examines policy frameworks, incentives, governance structures, and institutional mechanisms aimed at enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of education systems in LMICs.


Deon Filmer
, James Habyarimana, and Shwetlena Sabarwal, Journal of Human Resources, October 2023 |


Deon Filmer,
 International Journal of Educational Development, vol. 102, October 2023 |


David K. Evans, Fei Yuan, and Deon Filmer,World Development, vol. 155, July 2022 |


Felipe Barrera-Osorio, Jacobus Cilliers, Marie-Helene Cloutier and Deon Filmer, Journal of Development Economics, vol. 156, May 2022 |  |


Pedro Cerdan-Infantes, Deon Filmer and Santoso, Economic Development and Cultural Change, vol. 70, January 2022 |