[VIDEO] Fighting Against Learning Crisis in Developing Countries: A Randomized Experiment of Self- Learning at the Right Level

This paper investigates the effectiveness of a globally popular method of self-learning at the right level in improving learning outcome — the cognitive and non-cognitive abilities — of disadvantaged pupils in a developing country, Bangladesh. Using a randomized control trial design, we find substantial improvement in cognitive ability measured by mathematics test scores and catchup effects on aspects of non-cognitive ability or a personality trait measured by a pupil’s self-esteem scale. These findings are consistent with a longer-term impact found in grades on a national-level primary school completion exam. Moreover, the teachers’ ability to assess student performance substantially improves. Based on our estimates, program benefit exceeds cost in a plausible way. Above findings suggest that self-learning at right level can effectively improve quality of primary education and hence address the learning crisis in developing countries.