The effect of a change in language of instruction on the returns to schooling in Morocco

• 成果类型: Article; Proceedings Paper
• 署名作者: Angrist, JD; Lavy, V
• 署名单位: Hebrew University of Jerusalem; National Bureau of Economic Research
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF LABOR ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0734-306X
• DOI: 10.1086/209856
• 发表日期: 1997
• 页码: S48-S76
• 关键词: earnings; men; proficiency

摘要

Until 1983, the language of instruction for most subjects in grades 6 and above in Moroccan public schools was French. Beginning in 1983, the language of instruction for new cohorts of Moroccan sixth graders was switched to Arabic. We use this policy change to estimate the effect of French language skills on test scores and earnings. The estimates suggest that the elimination of compulsory French instruction led to a substantial reduction in the returns to schooling for Moroccans affected by the change. This reduction appears to be largely attributable to a loss of French writing skills.