. A government can oblige parents to pay compulsory school fees to finance the basic education of their children. In that case, if both user payments and the education itself are compulsory, then schooling is tax financed, according to a benefit principle. Alternatively, user payments can be voluntary, with noncompulsory school attendance and children being barred from school if the user payments are not made. Since payment is voluntary, such user payments are then user fees rather than taxes that reflect compulsory payment. 2 Whether compulsory or voluntary
. Ideally, therefore, all children should have access to free-access, publicly financed, quality schools. 1 Yet, in many poor countries, education of children is not free; rather, parents pay fees or user payments for the education of their children. The user payments in some cases supplement public spending on schools. In other cases, where no public financing is available, user payments self-finance community schools that are organized and funded by communities and parents independently of government. User payments can be voluntary or compulsory, and can take
Abstract
In an ideal world, primary education would be universal and publicly financed, and all children would be able to attend school regardless of their parents’ ability or willingness to pay. In many poor countries, however, governments lack either the financial resources or the political will to provide each child with a basic education, despite the benefits that would accrue not only to individuals but to society as a whole. In some of these countries, parents cover part or all of the cost of their children’s education. This paper explores the pros and cons of user payments.
Abstract
In an ideal world, primary education would be universal and publicly financed, and all children would be able to attend school regardless of their parents’ ability or willingness to pay. In many poor countries, however, governments lack either the financial resources or the political will to provide each child with a basic education, despite the benefits that would accrue not only to individuals but to society as a whole. In some of these countries, parents cover part or all of the cost of their children’s education. This paper explores the pros and cons of user payments.
Abstract
In an ideal world, primary education would be universal and publicly financed, and all children would be able to attend school regardless of their parents’ ability or willingness to pay. In many poor countries, however, governments lack either the financial resources or the political will to provide each child with a basic education, despite the benefits that would accrue not only to individuals but to society as a whole. In some of these countries, parents cover part or all of the cost of their children’s education. This paper explores the pros and cons of user payments.
Front Matter Page Fiscal Affairs Department Authorized for distribution by Sanjeev Gupta Contents I. Introduction II. Schooling in Low-Income Countries A. School Enrollment B. Influences on the Demand for Schooling C. Supply-Side Influences D. Conditions Determining Whether User Payments Can Increase Enrollment III. Why User Payments May Be Undesirable A. Regressive Taxes B. Voluntary User Payments and Demand C. Exclusion D. Self-Financing User Payments May Not Exist E. Special Education F. User Payments as Preempting
Abstract
In an ideal world, primary education would be universal and publicly financed, and all children would be able to attend school regardless of their parents’ ability or willingness to pay. In many poor countries, however, governments lack either the financial resources or the political will to provide each child with a basic education, despite the benefits that would accrue not only to individuals but to society as a whole. In some of these countries, parents cover part or all of the cost of their children’s education. This paper explores the pros and cons of user payments.