Effect of Classroom Electrification on School Performance in Cote d'IVOIRE

Abstract

In recent years, Côte d'Ivoire has adopted national policies to improve household access to electricity. If these policies have increased access to electricity at the household level, it remains very low at the primary school level. To understand the importance of electricity in the school environment, our study aimed to analyse the effect of classroom electrification on school performance. The study uses PASEC survey data from about 2250 students in 150 schools. From the estimation of the multilevel model, it appears that the electrification of classes increases the students' score by 5.9 points. The results also show a positive influence of maternal literacy, the presence of a library, and the possession of textbooks on student performance. However, the student's age and regular housework have a negative influence on student performance on the proficiency tests.