User Payments for Basic Education in Low-Income Countries

Author/Editor:

Eva Jenkner ; Arye L. Hillman

Publication Date:

November 1, 2002

Electronic Access:

Free Download. Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file

Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

Insufficient resources and inadequate public expenditure management often prevent governments in low-income countries from providing quality basic education free of charge. User payments by parents are an alternative means of financing basic education. This paper assesses how user payments affect educational opportunities and quality of education for children of poor families in low-income countries. Conditions are identified under which user payments can or cannot improve educational outcomes. User payments, whether taking the form of compulsory benefit taxation or voluntary user fees, are a temporary solution and second-best compared with free-access, publicly financed quality education that is consistent with macroeconomic stability.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2002/182

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

November 1, 2002

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451859270/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA1822002

Pages:

33

Please address any questions about this title to publications@imf.org