Author Description

User charges are explored as an alternative source of finance for educational investment in Malawi. Two major issues are addressed: first, are families able and willing to pay; and second, what can users accomplish in terms of expanding the size of realized enrollment, given the public budget constraint. An analysis of data from primary and secondary schools; a review of the patterns of private expenditure on schooling; a description of the continuation rates under hypothetical future fee increases; and an examination of the willingness to pay from evidence of household enrollment and from economic rationale leads to a discussion of policy implications and conclusions. The empirical evidence suggests that (1) a moderate fee increase is unlikely to precipitate a large drop-out rate among students (primary and secondary) currently enrolled; (2) enrollments will increase due to the larger number of places made available because of the fee increase; and (3) increased fees are likely to have a stronger impact on lower income families; therefore, they should be linked with equity measures. Appendixes include a methodological explanation for the study and questionnaires for primary and secondary school pupils. References are provided. (RSL)