Economic shocks in education : analysis of the 1997 Asian financial crisis and lessons for today

Document Type

Journal article

Source Publication

Global Social Policy

Publication Date

4-1-2009

Volume

9

Issue

Suppl

First Page

145

Last Page

173

Publisher

Sage Publications Ltd.

Keywords

conditional cash transfers, disparities, gross enrolment rates, public expenditure, social protection, 1997 crisis

Abstract

Studies of the 1997 Asian financial crisis suggest that impacts of economic shocks on education are ambiguous and vary according to gender, income, and location. The crisis exacerbated previous disparities, with gaps between girls and boys, and urban and rural education widening. Secondary school enrolment sustained the greatest impact. Countries' high commitment to education, as evidenced by increased household expenditures and government social protection programmes, helped protect education. Lessons from 1997 serve as a useful framework for considering potential policy responses to the 2007-08 crisis. Getting policies right is important given the current education landscape, where disparities continue to persist. The paper provides an analysis of the state of education in East Asia and the Pacific. It then analyzes experiences from the 1997 crisis and government policy responses since 1997. It argues that quick and sustained action is important. Social protection measures should be institutionalized to prepare for future crises.

DOI

10.1177/1468018109106889

Print ISSN

14680181

Publisher Statement

Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.

Full-text Version

Publisher’s Version

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Mok, K. H., Lawler, J., & Hinsz, S. B. (2009). Economic shocks in education: Analysis of the 1997 Asian financial crisis and lessons for today. Global Social Policy, 9(Suppl), 145-173. doi: 10.1177/1468018109106889

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