School Effectiveness in Developing Countries - A Summary of the Research Evidence

curricular activities, and teacher morale. Indifference of the teachers in the more
deprived schools was a major factor here, and morale was influenced by the physical
condition and appearance of the school.

School facilities also emerged as a factor in the case study research of Vulliamy (1987),
conducted in Papua New Guinea secondary schools.

The argument in the First World literature that levels of resourcing and of
physical facilities are unrelated to student achievement does not seem to
be applicable in the Third World context.....The lack of the most basic

facilities in many Third World schools.....not only depresses staff and

student morale but also acts as an impediment to effective teaching and
learning.

(Vulliamy, 1987, pp 219-220)

There would seem to be a strong case for further research on the effects of school
facilities.

2.5 Interactive radio instruction

In interactive radio, instructional materials and delivery strategy are highly coordinated,
and students give frequent active responses. It is clear that, although interactive radio has
not been implemented widely, it is effective, very cost-effective, and teachers are
enthusiastic about it (Lockheed & Hanushek, 1988; Hallak, 1990; Lockheed &
Verspoor, 1991). Lockheed & Verspoor give examples from various sources with effect
sizes ranging from 0.53 S.D. units to 1.31 S.D. units (these statistics are calculated by
taking the mean score of the radio class, subtracting the mean score of the control group,
and dividing by the standard deviation of the control group).

2.6 Textbooks and materials

According to Fuller & Heyneman (1989, p 12),

teaching materials and related material inputs that are linked directly to
teaching are related consistently to higher pupil achievement, after
controlling for the influence of family background.

Lockheed & Verspoor (1991) also report that the availability of textbooks and other
instructional materials has a consistently positive effect on student achievement in

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