Germano Mwabu

Bio: Germano Mwabu is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Primary education & Public policy. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 6 publications receiving 111 citations.

Costs And Benefits Of Eliminating Child Labour In Kenya

Abstract: Estimates the number of child workers by age, gender and type of labour, and the economic value of their work. Computes economic and health benefits of expanded education to students' future households and the country's economy.

HIV/AIDS in Kenya: A Review of Research and Policy Issues

Abstract: The Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) is an autonomous institute whose primary mission is to conduct public policy research, leading to policy advice. KIPPRA's mission is to produce consistently high-quality analysis of key issues of public policy and to contribute to the achievement of national long-term development objectives by positively influencing the decision-making process. These goals are met through effective dissemination of recommendations resulting from analysis and by training policy analysts in the public sector. KIPPRA therefore produces a body of well-researched and documented information on public policy, and in the process assists in formulating long-term strategic perspectives. KIPPRA serves as a centralized source from which the government and the private sector may obtain information and advice on public policy issues. The Discussion Paper Series disseminates results and reflections from ongoing research activities of the institute's programmes. The papers are internally refereed and are disseminated to inform and invoke debate on policy issues. Opinions expressed in the papers are entirely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute. Abstract This paper examines the magnitude, distribution and causes of HIV/ AIDS in Kenya, including responses to fight the disease. An account is also provided of theoretical and empirical economics research approaches used in analysing the impact of HIV/AIDS. On average, statistics show that HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in urban areas are higher than in rural areas, and that HIV/AIDS is imposing heavy costs on the economy, primarily through increased medical care expenditure and labour losses. There are no strong indications that the epidemic is declining, casting doubts on the success of past anti-AIDS efforts. The true impact of awareness-creation campaigns in reducing new infections is still uncertain despite that most funds for intervention are channelled to these efforts. Medical treatment of AIDS patients, which can prolong life and prevent loss of productive labour, has received little attention or funding. This study suggests a partial policy shift from awareness campaigns to prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and economic and social support for those infected and affected. To forestall momentous economic losses, we recommend an incentive mechanism that promotes three important inputs to the national AIDS management programme: • Data on early-diagnosis and follow-up programmes to allow for animation of case-specific interventions, with voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) forming the backbone for medical, economic and social support regimes; • Collection of incidence and general prevalence …

The Aggregate Effect of School Choice: Evidence from a Two-Stage Experiment in India

Abstract: We present experimental evidence on the impact of a school choice program in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh that provided students with a voucher to finance attending a private school of their choice. The study design featured a unique two-stage lottery-based allocation of vouchers that created both student-level and market-level experiments, which allows us to study the individual and the aggregate effects of school choice (including spillovers). After two and four years of the program, we find no difference between test scores of lottery winners and losers on Telugu (native language), math, English, and science/social studies, suggesting that the large cross-sectional differences in test scores across public and private schools mostly reflect omitted variables. However, private schools also teach Hindi, which is not taught by the public schools, and lottery winners have much higher test scores in Hindi. Furthermore, the mean cost per student in the private schools in our sample was less than a third of the cost in public schools. Thus, private schools in this setting deliver slightly better test score gains than their public counterparts (better on Hindi and same in other subjects), and do so at a substantially lower cost per student. Finally, we find no evidence of spillovers on public school students who do not apply for the voucher, or on private school students, suggesting that the positive effects on voucher winners did not come at the expense of other students. JEL Codes: C93, H44, H52, I21, O15.

Theory, General Equilibrium and Political Economy in Development Economics

Abstract: I discuss the role of economic theory in empirical work in development economics with special emphasis on general equilibrium and political economy considerations. I argue that economic theory plays (should play) a central role in formulating models, estimates of which can be used for counterfactual and policy analysis. I discuss why counterfactual analysis based on microdata that ignores general equilibrium and political economy issues may lead to misleading conclusions. I illustrate the main arguments using examples from recent work in development economics and political economy.