The effect of class size on student achievement: evidence from Bangladesh

Asadullah, M. N. (2005) The effect of class size on student achievement: evidence from Bangladesh. Applied Economics Letters, 12 (4). pp. 217-221. ISSN 1466-4291 doi: 10.1080/1350485042000323608

Abstract/Summary

This study examines the effect of class size on student achievement in Bangladesh using national secondary school survey data. A Ministry of Education rule regarding allocation of teachers to secondary grades is exploited to construct an instrument for class size. This rule causes a discontinuity between grade enrolment and class size thereby generating exogenous variation in the latter. It is found that OLS and IV estimates of class size effects have perverse signs: both yield a positive coefficient on the class size variable. The results suggest that reduction in class size in secondary grades is not efficient in a developing country like Bangladesh. Last, as by-product, some evidence is found suggesting that greater competition among schools improve student achievement.