Michael Kremer on Economists as Founders | Conversations with Tyler

Education Systems

Michael Kremer emphasizes the importance of structured pedagogy in enhancing educational outcomes in developing economies. He highlights the effectiveness of providing detailed lesson plans for teachers, which can significantly improve student performance. Kremer notes, "If we try a variety of things and if we think about it using theory and using the tools of economics and tools of other disciplines, we can really make progress" 1. Additionally, he discusses the need for experimentation in research funding to optimize educational systems, suggesting that innovative approaches could lead to significant advancements 2.

   

Merit Scholarships

Kremer explores the impact of merit-based scholarships on student motivation and educational progression. He shares insights from a program in Kenya where students' fees were covered if they performed well, leading to increased effort from both students and teachers 3. Kremer believes that such programs, despite needing further testing, could be integral to educational systems. He also discusses peer effects and the potential of rewarding classrooms as a whole, which could foster a supportive learning environment: "Their initial results on this are actually extremely promising" 4.