Technological resources, ICT use and schools efficiency in Latin America

The efficiency of schools can be defined and measured as the ratio between the outputs produced (for example, achievement and competences) and the inputs utilized (human and technical resources). Technology holds the promise of increasing the efficiency of schools’ operations, although empirical evidence on this actual ability is still scarce. This paper explores whether the ICT availability and use in 2,757 schools from 10 Latin American countries is associated with higher efficiency, using OECD PISA 2018 as source of data. A method based on a double-bootstrap Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is employed. The results highlight that the availability of ICT is positively correlated with higher school efficiency. This evidence is relevant for policy implications in setting the post-COVID priorities for educational systems in the region.