A year's worth of education for under a dollar and other ‘Best buys’ in development, from the UK aid agency's chief economist

Abstract

Despite the low cost of 30 cents per year for primary education, some interventions are surprisingly effective. The most cost-effective approaches involve rearranging students based on their learning levels or providing information about the benefits of education. While randomized controlled trials (RCTs) may not accurately measure the effectiveness of individual programs, they can reveal general human behavior patterns. Nonetheless, we should continue conducting RCTs and consider using Bayesian statistics to improve precision. Critics argue thatRCTs may not generalize well, but Dr. Glennerster believes that understanding the underlying reasons for varying study results is crucial. She emphasizes the importance of descriptive work to identify the root causes of issues and highlights effective interventions like providing safe spaces for adolescent girls and promoting access to family planning, which empowers women and positively impacts their education and long-term prospects. – AI-generated abstract.