The Political Economy of Education in South Asia: Fighting Poverty, Inequality, and Exclusion

With the exception of Sri Lanka, South Asian countries have not achieved quality basic education - an essential measure for escaping poverty, inequality, and social exclusion. In The Political Economy of Education in South Asia, John Richards, Manzoor Ahmed, and Shahidul Islam emphasize the importance of a dynamic system for education policy.

The Political Economy of Education in South Asia documents the weak core competency (reading and math) outcomes in government primary schools in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, and the consequent rapid growth of non-government schools over the last two decades. It compares the training, hiring, and management of teachers in South Asian schools to successful national systems ranging from Singapore to Finland. Discussing reform options, it makes the case public good and public priorities are better served when both public and non-government providers come under a strong public policy and accountability framework.

The Political Economy of Education in South Asia draws on the authors’ broad engagement in education research and practice in South Asia, as well as analysis by prominent professors of education and NGO leaders, to place basic education in a broad context and make the case that universal literacy and numeracy are necessary foundations for economic growth.

John Richards is an economist and a professor in the School of Public Policy at Simon Fraser University, and a scholar-in-residence at the C.D. Howe Institute.
Manzoor Ahmed is professor emeritus at BRAC University, Chair of Bangladesh Early Childhood Development Network (BEN). and Vice Chair of Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE).
Shahidul Islam served as Senior Education Advisor to USAID and is currently a consultant on education reform projects in South Asia.
Sir Fazle Hasan Abed was the founder of BRAC, one of the world’s largest non-governmental organizations.