Is Grade Repetition in South Africa Lowered by Access to Electric Light or ICT Devices?

Abstract

We investigate how grade repetition, an important problem in developing countries, can be reduced by electrifying households. Electric lighting helps extend study hours, while information and communications technology (ICT) such as TVs and radios can improve language proficiency by exposing students to the language spoken at school. We use data from the South African General Household Survey and estimate a schooling production function, controlling for child, school, and household characteristics. A propensity score matching approach allows us to tackle common endogeneity problems. We find that household electrification lowers grade repetition through the effect of ICT devices.

Keywords: Grade repetition, electrification, ICT, schooling production function, South Africa

JEL Classification: C23, I26, J16, O10, Q40