Contribution of Shadow Education to the Performance of Students in Public Schools: The Case of Sri Lanka

Abstract

This study individually estimates and analyzes the contribution of public schools and fee-paid private tutoring classes to academic performance of students in Sri Lanka. Econometric models and measures of descriptive statistics were estimated and instructional time was graphically compared to test whether the private tutoring classes significantly contribute to students’ academic performance. Econometric results with descriptive statistics strongly confirm the contribution of private tutoring education in the academic performance of the students in public schools. The study concludes that in Sri Lanka, private tuition classes have a significant positive contribution to the academic performance of students in public schools.