The Economic Consequences of School-Consolidations: Paired Sample t-test Analysis

Abstract

The objective of this study is twofold. First, this study tried to analyse the meaning of school consolidation and explains the determinants of school-consolidations. Second, the study tried to trace some economic consequences of such school-consolidations in Telangana State, India with the paired sample analysis. The school-closures, school-consolidations and the merger of schools are often termed as synonymous to each other. The closure or merger of low-enrolment registered schools is broadly considered as the school–consolidation. One of the key determinants of school consolidations is the low-enrollment. The study is based on the primary survey conducted in Telangana state. This study has found that the average per-capita expenditure to access the education after school consolidations has increased drastically. The results of the paired sample t-test confirmed that there is a statistically significant difference in average per-capita expenditure concerning pre-and-post school-closures expenditure on education. Ultimately, this school-consolidations creates an occasion to choose private schooling by the parents of pupil.