Impact of conditional cash transfers on children's school achievement: evidence from Colombia

Abstract

Conditional cash transfer programmes have expanded in developing countries as a way to foster human capital accumulation. Despite evidence of these programmes' positive impact on school enrolment, little is known about their impact on school achievement. This study estimated the effect of Familias en Accion on school achievement. It found that the programme has a positive effect on school achievement for children aged seven to 12 living in rural areas. However, the study found a negative effect on the school achievement of adolescents, particularly those living in rural areas. Possible mechanisms of these effects are explored and discussed.