Monitoring Works: Getting Teachers to Come to School

Abstract

This data was collected from a randomized experiment run by Seva Mandir and J-PAL in the tribal villages of Udaipur, India. An incentives program was implemented to reduce high teacher absence in non-formal primary education centers (NFEC's). In 60 randomly chosen centers (out of 120) teachers were given a camera with a tamper-proof date and time function, along with instructions to have one of the children photograph the teacher and other students at the beginning and end of the school day. The time and date stamp on the photographs were used to track teacher attendance. A teacher's salary was a direct function of his attendance. The remaining 60 schools served as comparison schools. Monitors were sent on a random day each month to check if the schools were open and the teacher teaching. These monitors collected roster and attendance information for the students as well (if the school was open). Three basic competency exams were given to children enrolled in the NFEC's in August 2003. These included an August 2003 pretest, a mid test in April 2004 and a post test in Sept 2004.