ERIC Number: ED270350
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1984
Pages: 114
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: ISBN-0-8213-0405-4
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
User Charges for Education: The Ability and Willingness to Pay in Malawi. World Bank Staff Working Papers No. 661.
Tan, Jee Peng; And Others
User charges are explored as an alternative source of finance for educational investment in Malawi. Two major issues are addressed: first, are families able and willing to pay; and second, what can users accomplish in terms of expanding the size of realized enrollment, given the public budget constraint. An analysis of data from primary and secondary schools; a review of the patterns of private expenditure on schooling; a description of the continuation rates under hypothetical future fee increases; and an examination of the willingness to pay from evidence of household enrollment and from economic rationale leads to a discussion of policy implications and conclusions. The empirical evidence suggests that (1) a moderate fee increase is unlikely to precipitate a large drop-out rate among students (primary and secondary) currently enrolled; (2) enrollments will increase due to the larger number of places made available because of the fee increase; and (3) increased fees are likely to have a stronger impact on lower income families; therefore, they should be linked with equity measures. Appendixes include a methodological explanation for the study and questionnaires for primary and secondary school pupils. References are provided. (RSL)
Descriptors: Education, Educational Economics, Educational Equity (Finance), Educational Finance, Elementary Secondary Education, Financial Policy, Financial Support, Public Education, School Funds, School Taxes, Student Costs
Publications Sales Unit, Department T, The World Bank, 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, DC. 20433.
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: World Bank, Washington, DC.
Identifiers - Location: Malawi
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A