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This study investigates the effects of speed competition in classrooms on young pupils' learning outcomes. To examine how faster peers' speed affects slower pupils' speed and learning, we employ students' daily progress data in a self-learning programme at BRAC primary schools in Bangladesh. The programme's unique setting allows us to address the reflection problem reasonably well. While speed competition could generate negative consequences, our results show overall positive peer effects on problem-solving time and scores. The effects are stronger among peers with similar abilities, without negatively affecting others. Our results show efficiency gains from non-market competition in education and learning.
Authors
PhD Scholar University College London
Hikaru — a PhD scholar — focuses on the long-term impacts of early childhood education and care, in addition to the peer effects of youth crimes.
Asian Development Bank
Professor of Economics University of Tokyo
Associate Professor of Economics Ritsumeikan University
Journal article details
- DOI
- 10.1111/obes.12545
- Publisher
- Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics
- ISSN
- 0305-9049
Suggested citation
Kawarazaki, H et al. (2023). 'Haste makes no waste: positive peer effects of classroom speed competition on learning'
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