Understanding the gender gap in learning outcomes in primary education: evidence from PASEC results

Abstract

Ensuring that girls and boys all benefit from equitable learning outcomes is important for equity in the labour market and economic growth. Using PASEC 2014 data, the current paper attempts to better understand the gender gaps in learning outcomes. Overall, while girls achieve better outcomes in reading, boys generally outperform girls in mathematics. Applying the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition technique, the gender gap is decomposed into two components: the contribution of the gender itself and the contribution of factors other than the gender. The results show that improving school facilities and increasing the number of female teachers can strongly contribute to closing the gender gap in mathematics and can help improve girls' and boys' achievements in reading.