5. Technical efficiency in Uganda's primary education system: Panel data evidence

Abstract

This paper estimates the technical efficiency and its determinants for Uganda’s primary education system using parametric models based on a panel data set on performance index and educational inputs of various categories of primary schools for the 2001-to-2008 period. Generally, all primary schools in Uganda are technically inefficient, but private and urban schools are relatively more so than government-aided and rural schools. Hence, it is feasible to improve learning outcomes without increasing spending on primary education for private schools, where a 56% improvement might be expected. For government-aided and rural schools, efficiency gains on the basis of current funding will result in a mere 1% improvement in learning outcomes. Improvements in learning outcomes for government-aided schools will require increased resources.