Publication Type: Working Paper
Countries: Bangladesh
Authors: Mushtaq Khan, Mehnaz Rabbani, Faruq Hossain, Ishraq Sabbir Nirjhor
Publication date: September 2026
Keywords: Education
This paper is part of a series examining the relationship between poor governance, collusion and learning outcomes in Bangladeshi primary schools. It considers five types of primary school: government primary schools, government-regulated Alia madrasas, privately administered Qawmi madrasas, private kindergarten schools and Cadet madrasas.
Drawing on a sample of 44 schools across 10 localities in five districts of Bangladesh, the study examines the links between school type, governance characteristics and learning outcomes. It uses a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative research into school governance with assessments of pupils’ learning in Bangla, English and mathematics.
Overall, the findings suggest that learning outcomes are more consistently associated with governance characteristics at the level of individual schools than with school type alone. They point to the value of testing practical ways to strengthen parental influence, effective headteacher authority and other horizontal checks, while guarding against political interference, collusion and the exclusion of families unable to make additional financial contributions.
Citation
Khan, M., Rabbani, M., Hossain, F., Nirjhor, I. S. 2026. 'Governance and learning outcomes: a comparative analysis of horizontal checks in primary schools in Bangladesh'. SOAS Anti-Corruption Evidence (ACE) SOAS University of London. https://ace.soas.ac.uk/publication/governance-and-learning-outcomes-a-comparative-analysis-of-horizontal-checks-in-primary-schools-in-bangladesh/
