Barboni, GiorgiaKothari, Jigar2018-08-032026-09-292018-08-032026-09-292018-04-092018-08-03http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp01wp988n52hhttps://theses-dissertations.princeton.edu/handle/88435/dsp01wp988n52hImproving access to education is an important driver of economic development in sub-Saharan Africa. In this paper I examine the short-term impact of fee-free secondary education policy in Tanzania on the access, sorting and achievement of lower secondary school students. Exploiting the pre-policy variation in dropout rates between districts, I find that the initiative significantly expanded access to secondary education, induced sorting to private schools and reduced the supply of private schools. I argue that the policy was welfare improving since it advanced educational access with negligible negative impact on students’ achievements.application/pdfenPrinceton University Senior Theses