Thesis (M.D.E.)--Dalhousie University (Canada), 1997
This thesis shows why the expansion and improvement of basic education should be among the highest priorities for countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite a strong and widespread consensus on this point, resources fall far short of providing quality basic education to SSA's fast-growing school-age populations
Basic principles of public finance economics show why governments should subsidize basic education, but do not provide a clear answer to 'What should the price be?' Proponents of user fees apply 'simple tools of economic analysis' to show that a partial solution to the resource crisis exists under SSA's conditions. Because there is excess private demand at typically "low" prices, governments should increase fees until the excess demand disappears; this will generate new resources to either expand the quantity or improve the quality. Equity is improved because the expanded system is more accessible to the poor, or prices can be lowered for bright children from poorer backgrounds. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
