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

been demonstrated in Nicaragua, Kenya, and Thailand. Radio has been
found more cost-effective than conventional instructional methods relying
on teachers alone.....The cost-effectiveness of technical-vocational

programs in comparison with general secondary education has been
evaluated in Colombia and Tanzania, with somewhat inconsistent
results.....The evidence regarding teacher education suggests that training

that emphasises basic skills is more cost-effective (vis-a-vis student
learning) than training that refines skills at a higher level.

They conclude that

On average, across several countries and a variety of student learning
outcome measures, the more cost-effective interventions are textbooks,
interactive radio, peer tutoring and cooperative learning. Less cost-
effective are teacher training and technical-vocational schools. (ibid, p36)

Although this evidence is very interesting, and aspects of it are convincing, it should
again be noted that there are methodological difficulties. The evidence on peer tutoring
and cooperative learning comes from USA and Israel. It must be remembered also that
there is no evidence on many other potentially cost-effective strategies, for example
school management training.

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