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                  enGender Impact: The World Bank’s Gender Impact Evaluation Database



   Improving primary school education in India An impact assessment of DPEP Phase 1

      Author(s)            Jyotsna Jalan and Elena Glinksya
      Contact              eglinskaya@worldbank.org

      Country              India

 Organizing Theme          Education and Skills

       Status              Phase I-IV of the project have been implemented

Intervention Category      School Management

       Sector              Education
                           The District Primary Education Program (DPEP) was launched by the Government of
                           India (GOI) in 1994 with the objectives of providing primary school access for all children,
                           reducing overall dropout rates and gaps in enrollments, dropouts and learning
                           achievements across gender and social groups. To date, this has been the most intensive
                           primary school education intervention by the central government both in terms of
                           resources and planning. The GOI and its various international development partners
                           (World Bank, ECU, DFID, UNICEF) have committed resources to the tune of US dollars
                           1.62 billion for the project. As of December 2001, the school system under DPEP covered
                           51.3 million children and 1.1 million teachers.
      Abstract             Has this massive resource mobilization in primary school education improved education
                           outcome indicators? We evaluate Phase I of the DPEP, in terms of three specific outcome
                           indicators: enrollment rates, completion rates and progression to higher levels of education.
                           Program districts show a “small” improvement in outcome indicators. However, most of
                           the benefit accrued to male children and primarily in the state of Madhya Pradesh where
                           concurrent to the DPEP two substantial state level primary school programs were also
                           initiated. Impacts on the scheduled caste group were also noticeable. Finally, contrary to
                           the program’s goals, there has been virtually no impact on girl’s primary school education
                           or on children belonging to the scheduled tribe.

 Gender Connection         Gender Informed Analysis

 Gender Outcomes           Gender disaggregated school attendance, school attainment

     IE Design             Propensity Score Matching
                           The program adopted measures to strengthen capacities of the national state in
                           management and evaluation of primary education. To get financial assistance under the
                           program, states have to maintain expenditure levels on elementary education. It encouraged
    Intervention           the formation of Village Education Committees and local bodies that would create
                           awareness campaigns for providing the necessary institutional infrastructure for increasing
                           enrollment and retention. The program also provided integrated education for children
                           with disabilities.



   Last updated: 14 August 2013                                                                       1
                   enGender Impact: The World Bank’s Gender Impact Evaluation Database


  Intervention Period       Phase I of the program was first implemented in 1994
                            There are approximately 59000 households residing in the project districts and 12500
   Sample population
                            households in the non-project districts.
                            The evaluation compares individuals in districts that receive the program with individuals in
Comparison conditions
                            non-treatment districts that are evaluated to be similar through propensity score matching.
    Unit of analysis        District Level

   Evaluation Period        1993-2000
                            There is a small positive impact on DPED on primary school attendance, stock of
                            completed primary school education, and progression into higher levels of education
                            beyond primary school. The impact on attendance rates is at best 1%. However, the
        Results
                            impacts are greater for male students and children living in the State of Madhya Pradesh.
                            The program had a small, but positive impact on outcome indicators for lower-caste
                            groups, but none for secluded tribes and there is almost no impact on female children.
                            Given the data at hand, the study could not assess the quality of education imparted in the
Primary study limitations   primary schools. The study only examines the average treatment effect, however, there is
                            likely heterogeneity even among the treated.
    Funding Source          Bank Netherlands Partnership Program
                            Jalan, J., & Glinskaya, E. (2003). Improving primary school education in India: An impact
      Reference(s)
                            assessment of DPEP-Phase I. Indian Statistical Institute (New Delhi) and The World Bank.
    Link to Studies
                            http://ddp-ext.worldbank.org/EdStats/INDimp04b.pdf
       Microdata




    Last updated: 14 August 2013                                                                       2