Short-Term Impacts of a Cash Transfer Program for Girls' Education on Academic Outcomes: Evidence from a Randomized Evaluation in Malawian Secondary Schools

Abstract

This paper evaluates a randomized controlled trial of a cash transfer program for the girls’ education by studying the short-term academic achievement of 3,997 female students (9th–11th grade) across 124 classrooms in 33 public secondary schools in Malawi. Results show that students provided with one-year tuition support and monthly cash stipends are more likely to attend school and have better test scores in the short run. These students also regarded education more seriously with higher aspirations for educational achievement.

Keywords: Cash Transfer, Girls' Education, Malawi, Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

JEL Classification: C93, I20, O15