Offline Libraries and Student Learning in Remote Areas

Last registered on June 17, 2024

Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Offline Libraries and Student Learning in Remote Areas
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0013732
Initial registration date
May 31, 2024

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published
June 17, 2024, 3:06 AM EDT

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Locations

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Primary Investigator

Affiliation
University of Montpellier & Paris School of Economics

Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Affiliation
Paris School of Economics and J-PAL
PI Affiliation
University of Bordeaux and Paris School of Economics
PI Affiliation
Eval-Lab

Additional Trial Information

Status
On going
Start date
2023-06-01
End date
2025-12-31
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
Despite significant increases in primary school enrollment, the quality of education remains a pressing issue, especially in rural areas with limited resources and infrastructure. This randomized controlled trial examines the impact of the Offline Libraries program, an educational initiative led by an international NGO, on student learning and teaching quality in a remote area. The study involves 140 public primary schools, with 70 receiving the intervention and 70 serving as controls. The intervention deploys digital libraries, which provide educational materials accessible without an internet connection, as well as tablets for students and a SD card for teachers to access these resources. The program also includes comprehensive teacher training and ongoing pedagogical support.

We hypothesize that the program can improve teaching practices, increase student engagement, and enhance learning outcomes. To investigate these questions, analyses will be based on surveys, classroom observations, and administrative data, focusing on students and teachers in grades 4 and 6. The study provides insights into the effectiveness of digital educational tools in resource-limited settings. Findings will inform policymakers and stakeholders about scalable interventions to address educational disparities in remote and underserved regions.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Behaghel, Luc et al. 2024. "Offline Libraries and Student Learning in Remote Areas." AEA RCT Registry. June 17. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.13732-1.0
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
This randomized controlled trial examines the impact of the Offline Libraries program, an educational initiative led by an international NGO, on student learning and teaching quality in primary schools. The intervention deploys digital libraries, which provide educational materials accessible without an internet connection, as well as tablets for students and a SD card for teachers to access these resources. The program also includes comprehensive teacher training and ongoing pedagogical support.
Intervention Start Date
2023-11-01
Intervention End Date
2024-06-30

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
Student cognitive skills and academic achievement ; student school enrollement after primary school
Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Teacher digital skills
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
The study involves 140 public primary schools, with 70 randomly selected to benefit from the intervention, starting in November 2023, and 70 serving as controls.
Experimental Design Details
Not available
Randomization Method
The final list of beneficiary schools were revealed during a public draw held via video conference on August 16, 2023.
Randomization Unit
Schools
Was the treatment clustered?
Yes

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
140
Sample size: planned number of observations
240 teachers and 6,000 students
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
70 schools in each treatment arm
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
Paris School of Economics IRB
IRB Approval Date
2023-02-16
IRB Approval Number
2022-029
Analysis Plan

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