Assessing the performance of Peruvian education system from a governance perspective

This paper delves into the complexities of assessing educational performance and efficiency in the context of education governance. We propose a novel perspective on how governing features of educational systems influence their efficiency, focusing on the key features of public bodies responsible for local education management in Peru, known as UGELs. We characterize the educational production function using three inputs: planning conditions, human resources, and accountability mechanisms; and two outputs: student achievement and educational progress. Our efficiency estimation utilizes Robust Free Disposal Hull, Robust Data Envelopment Analysis, and Stochastic Non-parametric Envelopment approaches, leveraging unique government data from 2014. Additionally, we explore potential factors like infrastructure and internet access that could improve UGELs’ efficiency through conditional DEA analysis. Our findings highlight the need for nuanced methodologies in evaluating educational performance and reveal a significant gap in existing literature. This paper addresses this gap by offering a comprehensive evaluation framework, emphasizing the importance of thorough assessments for gauging educational institution efficiency. As policymakers increasingly rely on evidence-based decision-making, our research provides valuable insights that can inform and shape education policy decisions, making it a significant contribution to the field of education policy and governance. •Aim: Assessing educational performance and efficiency from governance perspective.•Focus: Local bodies (UGELs) in Peru.•Analysis: Inputs (planning, resources, accountability) & outputs (achievement, progress).•Advanced methods: FDH, DEA, StoNED & conditional DEA.•Impact: Comprehensive evaluation framework for educational governance assessment.