KiuFunza II
KiuFunza II was a teacher incentive program implemented in Tanzania to improve student learning outcomes in early primary grades. The program provided cash bonuses to teachers based on their students performance on independently administered tests in mathematics and Kiswahili.
The initiative tested two different incentive designs:
- A simple levels design that rewarded teachers based on the number of students reaching specific proficiency levels.
- A more complex gains design that rewarded teachers based on students learning improvements relative to their initial levels.
Both designs had a fixed bonus pool of $75,000 per subject-grade combination, with an average bonus of $3 per student or roughly $125 per teacher. The program aimed to motivate teachers to improve their teaching efforts and focus on student learning outcomes.
Results showed that both incentive designs significantly raised test scores, with the simpler levels design being at least as effective as the more complex gains design. The levels design also led to more equitably distributed learning gains across all students.
Pros
Improved student learning outcomes in mathematics and Kiswahili.
The simple levels design was effective and easier to implement.
Learning gains were broadly distributed across student, teacher, and school characteristics.
No negative spillover effects on non-incentivized subjects or grade levels
Cons
Uncertainty about the size of teachers' payments due to the fixed bonus pool
The more complex "gains" design led to teachers focusing primarily on the best students
Partners
Twaweza East Africa
Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)
Economic Development Initiatives (EDI)
World Banks Results in Education for All Children (REACH) Trust Fund