HAITI: Can Smartphones Make Schools Better?
Summary — This policy note summarizes a World Bank paper evaluating a pilot program in Haiti that used smartphones to monitor teacher attendance. The program faced challenges with implementation and technology, ultimately showing no impact on teacher absenteeism or student learning.
Key Findings
- The smartphone-based monitoring program faced significant implementation challenges.
- Technical difficulties hindered the use of the technology by school directors and inspectors.
- The program had no impact on teacher absenteeism or student learning outcomes.
- Teacher absenteeism rates in Haiti were lower than expected.
- Technology alone cannot solve complex educational challenges.
Full Description
This policy note discusses a World Bank-led evaluation of a pilot program in Haiti that aimed to improve school monitoring using smartphone technology. The program provided school directors with smartphones to take daily photos of teachers and upload them to a central server. The goal was to improve teacher accountability and provide school inspectors with real-time data. However, the program faced numerous challenges, including technical difficulties, administrative delays, and lack of teacher buy-in. As a result, the program had no significant impact on teacher absenteeism or student learning outcomes, highlighting the limitations of technology-based solutions in contexts with limited infrastructure and complex social dynamics.