The Impact of Public-Private Partnerships on Private School Performance: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial in Uganda

Abstract

We estimate short-term, partial equilibrium impacts of a public-private partnership (PPP) program on low-cost private secondary schools in Uganda. The PPP program is part of a broader strategy to absorb large increases in enrollment following the introduction of universal secondary education. Private schools participating in the PPP program receive a per-student voucher from the government. Implementation allowed for a randomized phase-in study design to estimate causal impacts of the program on private schools. The PPP program led to both large enrollment increases and significantly higher student performance. Improved performance is potentially linked to increased input availability and positive household-driven selection of voucher recipients.