Learning about learning from learning about learning

In this 3ie Delhi seminar, Lant Pritchett spoke about the lessons learned from randomised controlled trials (RCT) in education over the last 25 years. He argued that are many things wrong with the claims being about the value of RCTs. According to him, the evidence-action-impact claim was a complete black box. He agreed that RCTs are a superior evaluation design for establishing causal attribution but called for the need to focus on the characteristics of implementing organisations as a key driver of impact and success. To turn evidence into action, it is also important to consider if it is administratively and politically feasible. The discussant Ronald Abraham, founding partner, IDInsight talked about the need and role of different types of evidence to inform action, particularly in the Indian context. He also emphasised the need to understand the process of change and how evidence could fill the gaps. Manny Jimenez chaired the session.

About the speaker

Lant Pritchett is the RISE Research Director at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. Previously, he was a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development and professor of the Practice of International Development at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He has published over a hundred articles and papers on a wide range of topics, including state capability, labour mobility, economic growth, and education, among many others.

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