Bridging the Educational Divide: The Effects of Mobile Network Connectivity on Student Enrollment and Academic Performance

40 Pages Posted: 9 Oct 2024

See all articles by Sumit Agarwal

Sumit Agarwal

National University of Singapore

Liu Ee Chia

Pennsylvania State University - Smeal College of Business

Pulak Ghosh

Indian Institute of Management (IIMB), Bangalore

Date Written: July 01, 2024

Abstract

We examine the impact of mobile network connections on schooling decisions and academic performance, utilizing the nationwide installations of telecommunication infrastructure across India. We find an annual increase of 1.2% in primary student enrollments after installation, with a cumulative effect of 8.4% by the fourth year, benefitting approximately 4.8 million students. We find larger effects among lower-caste students compared to their general-caste counterparts, particularly in upper primary education, urban and private schools, and villages with a higher share of marginal workers. These findings provide suggestive evidence that mobile network connections improve economic outcomes, promoting educational attainment among marginalized children.

Keywords: Telecommunications, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mobile Network, Education, Enrollment

Suggested Citation

Agarwal, Sumit and Chia, Liu Ee and Ghosh, Pulak, Bridging the Educational Divide: The Effects of Mobile Network Connectivity on Student Enrollment and Academic Performance (July 01, 2024). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4947366 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4947366

Sumit Agarwal

National University of Singapore ( email )

15 Kent Ridge Drive
Singapore, 117592
Singapore
8118 9025 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.ushakrisna.com

Liu Ee Chia (Contact Author)

Pennsylvania State University - Smeal College of Business ( email )

University Park, PA 16802
United States

Pulak Ghosh

Indian Institute of Management (IIMB), Bangalore ( email )

Bannerghatta Road
Bangalore, Karnataka 560076
India

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