2017
International evidence shows that investing in high-quality early childhood programs can have large economic returns, especially for children from socially disadvantaged groups. In response, developing countries are looking to increase public investments in the early years, especially in early education programs.
What 15 seconds can tell you about a classroom
2017
With support from the World Bank’s Strategic Impact Evaluation Fund (SIEF), the Stallings instrument is now available for Android tablets and phones in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese, with accompanying training manuals.
In Bulgaria, giving Roma children equal opportunity starts with free preschool
2017
The Trust for Social Achievement, together with researchers supported by the World Bank’s Strategic Impact Evaluation Fund, designed the Springboard for School Readiness Program to promote early education among children aged three to five years old from disadvantaged communities.
Water works: how a simple technology in Dhaka is changing the way people get clean water
2017
A researcher's search for a simple tech to make water safe in dense, urban areas in Dhaka that lack reliable energy sources
Journalists, economists and making the news
2016
Interview with the featured expert: Wenceslaus Mushi, Project Director, Internews Network
Working on early childhood development in Mali
2016
Interview with the featured expert: Natalie Roschnik, Senior Research and Impact Advisor, Save the Children
Engaging the community for better education field experiment in Pakistan
2016
A new World Bank report examines the impact evaluation of a pilot program to encourage community involvement in school management committees in Sindh province in order to improve the quality of schools and education.
Why school enrollment is not enough: A look inside Haiti’s classrooms
2016
In Haiti, about 90% of primary school-aged children are enrolled in school. While still falling short of universal enrollment, this is a big improvement over just two decades ago. But enrollment is just the first step in building human capital – many children will repeat a grade, and about half will drop out before completing primary school, leaving the school system without having mastered even basic language and math skills. Why does participation in school produce so little?
Measurement matters in preschool quality
2016
A growing number of impact evaluations from low- and middle-income countries underscore the importance of preschool for children’s development. Most of these studies refer to the “high-quality” of their initiatives. But just what exactly do we mean by “high-quality”? How is quality measured in practice?
Madagascar’s Path to Reducing Stunting and Improving Child Development Outcomes
2016
With World Bank support, the Madagascar government used the results of a large-scale multi-round impact evaluation (1998-2011) to rethink strategic focus and program design.
What to expect when you’re expecting, in Nigeria: Lessons from a series of health impact evaluations
2016
Interview with the featured expert: Marcus Holmlund, Economist, The Development Impact Evaluation (DIME) unit, World Bank
An Impact Evaluation Sparks a New Work Idea for Women | [Française]
2016
Interview with the featured expert: Zahra Youssouf Kayad, Djibouti’s Minister of Social Solidarity
Women in Djibouti make money weaving grass and pearls into baskets, belts
2016
The Djibouti government, with support from the World Bank, has implemented a cash-for-work program with community meetings that promote nutrition for pregnant women and young children.
2016
Interview with the featured expert: Penny Hawkins, Head of Evaluation, U.K. Department for International Development
2015
Interview with the featured expert: Steven Chapman, Director of Evidence Measurement & Evaluation, Children's Investment Fund Foundation
Getting communities involved in Pakistan schools
2015
A World Bank pilot, part of the Sindh Education Sector Project aimed to make a difference by helping community members get more involved. Many educators believe that community involvement in school management is critical for improving education. The pilot gives community members new channels for getting involved in education and taking an active role in school improvement.
In early childhood programs, when is a papaya better than an apple?
2015
Interview with the featured expert: Christin McConnell, World Bank
Djibouti: What Happens When Women Control the Income?
2014
The World Bank-funded Djibouti Social Safety Net Program combines providing temporary work with providing basic education on nutrition. The program serves pregnant and lactating women, as well as those with children under two years of age, giving them nutritional advice and opportunities for short-term work.
Q/A: Sally McGregor on Jamaica’s Pioneering Role in Early Childhood Development
2014
Findings from the Jamaica study supported by SIEF are now the basis for early childhood development programs and ongoing impact evaluations around the world.
Finding work in conflict-affected states: What can Liberia teach us?
2014
A senior economist of the World Bank talks why employment support programs for ex-armed fighters may have big returns.
In Zambia, Strong Supply Chains Save Lives
2014
Working with the World Bank, Zambia seek to test new modes of distribution in a pilot program that included an impact evaluation.
Getting health right: An impact evaluation in the Philippines
2013
SIEF and the Government of the Philippines evaluate new health insurance incentives.
Closing the Education Gap in Pakistan: Researcher Interview
2013
The World Bank works with governments to develop and implement innovative methods for expanding access to education and improve school quality.
What Gets People to Wash Their Hands
2013
Handwashing with soap and water is a simple way to reduce the spread of disease. Yet many people don’t wash their hands when they should: before touching food, after using the toilet or after cleaning a baby’s bottom. Because bacteria, parasites, and viruses can easily spread when people don’t wash their hands, finding ways to boost handwashing can significantly reduce the risk of potentially fatal diarrheal and respiratory infections for children.
Mozambique: Nutrition and Education - Investigating What Works
2013
Preschool programs are a great way to give kids the educational building blocks to help them learn and prepare for primary school. But is that enough? In Mozambique, a World Bank-funded evaluation of a low-cost preschool pilot program run by Save the Children showed that children who attended preschool were more likely to start primary school at the right age, and they scored higher in cognitive and other skills critical for success.
Jamaica: Evaluation Builds Evidence of the Importance of Early Childhood Interventions
2013
What's the best way to help disadvantaged children reach their potential? What do they need to succeed in school, in work and in a family? Proper healthcare, nutrition, psychosocial stimulation, and emotional support all play a role in giving children the foundation they need to do well later on. But do programs designed to bolster disadvantaged children's cognitive, emotional and physical development really help over the long term?
2013
It is well-documented that prenatal nutritional supplements can give children the right start in life by supporting development in-utero and improving birth-weight, which reduces infant mortality. But can a case be made that good nutrition early on will give children a measureable earnings boost years later?