The Contribution of IFPRI Research and the Impact of the Food for Education Program in Bangladesh on Schooling Outcomes and Earnings

 

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has played a significant role in researching and evaluating the impact of the Food for Education (FFE) program in Bangladesh.¹ Here's a summary of their contributions and the program's effects:

IFPRI's Contributions:

• Program Conception and Evaluation:
  • IFPRI conducted studies that helped shape the FFE program, stemming from their earlier work on food subsidy programs in Bangladesh.²
  • They conducted rigorous evaluations of the FFE program, providing evidence that influenced its expansion and refinement.³
• Improving Targeting Effectiveness:
  • IFPRI research contributed to enhancing the program's ability to reach the most vulnerable populations.
• Capacity Strengthening:
  • IFPRI provided training and support in survey techniques and policy analysis, strengthening the capacity of those involved in the program.⁴
• Research and Data Collection:
  • IFPRI has performed extensive data collection through surveys of schools, households and communities.⁵ This data has been essential for the evaluation of the FFE program.

Impact of the Food for Education Program:

• Increased School Enrollment and Attendance:
  • The FFE program has been shown to significantly increase primary school enrollment and attendance, particularly for girls.⁶
  • It has also contributed to reducing dropout rates.⁷
• Impact on Earnings:
  • Research has explored the link between increased schooling due to the FFE program and its effects on lifetime earnings. The program increases the amount of years that beneficiary children stay in school.⁸ This increase in years of schooling, in turn, increases potential for higher life time earnings.
• Addressing Poverty and Undernutrition:
  • By providing food rations to families, the program helps alleviate poverty and improve food security.
  • It also addresses the nutritional needs of children, which can positively impact their ability to learn.

Key Considerations:

• While the FFE program has shown positive results in increasing school enrollment and attendance, the quality of education remains a concern.⁹
• IFPRI's research has been crucial in providing evidence-based insights to inform policy decisions related to food security and education in Bangladesh.

In essence, IFPRI's research has been instrumental in understanding and maximizing the positive impacts of the Food for Education program in Bangladesh, contributing to improved schooling outcomes and potential long-term economic benefits.