Cameroon

Based on a review of the available school fee literature, teachers may face several challenges when fees are abolished, including large classes, a shortage of material resources, increased heterogeneity of learners, and weakened support from parents, head teachers, and non-governmental organizations. Comment

As many countries abolish school fees as a major step toward achieving universal primary education (UPE), it is imperative that ample attention is given to learning and education quality as well as enrollment. Education expenditures will only produce more benefits if student learning outcomes improve along with the increase in school enrollment and persistence, particularly in the lower primary grades. Comment

This working paper investigates the extent of under- and overage pupils in developing countries and the differences in school performance by age group. The study finds that in the lower grades of primary school, older pupils generally outperform younger ones and younger pupils are far more likely to repeat grades. In higher grades of primary school and in all grades of secondary school, older pupils under-perform; they are less likely to be promoted and more likely to drop out of school than younger pupils.