Lao PDR has made good progress in expanding access to education, with enrolment in primary school now almost universal.
To graduate from ‘least developed country’ status by 2024, Lao recognises the need for increased and sustained investment in education.
However, Lao spends less on education than most countries, and quality-adjusted learning measures show children complete the equivalent of only 6.4 years in education.
There is a need to ensure effective use of limited available education funds to provide equitable and sustainable results for children.
Solution
Montrose has designed a cost-effective analysis which will identify which policies, strategies and interventions maximise outcomes for any given cost or produce an outcome for the lowest cost.
We will provide the Ministry of Education and Sports with evidence on the cost-effectiveness of specific education interventions on student attendance, retention and learning outcomes.
By drawing on existing analyses of budget allocation and expenditure across the education system, and taking account of the country context, Montrose will present the most relevant and cost-effective education interventions.
Impact
Analysis conducted by Montrose can be used as evidence for greater and better public investment in children, and inform programme development reform and education policy.
Improved efficiency and effectiveness of education expenditure may in time help the Ministry of Education advocate for increases in Lao’s education budget.
A comparison of selected interventions will help inform education policy and investment decisions focusing on providing the best value for money.
Montrose will also embed tools into UNICEF programmes for future cost-effective analyses.
