Past LEAPS work shows that while there are abundant markets for physical infrastructure and other “hard” investments, there are few for “soft” investments. Consequently, even schools fully committed to improving quality are unable to access ESS. Even with rich information flows and accessible financial resources, schools may not benefit if there is a missing market for educational intermediaries who can provide relevant inputs and services.

Current Research

We seek to understand what factors limit the development and adoption of innovative ideas in the educational space and to examine the extent to which access to education support services can help foster improved learning outcomes.

We are engaged in an ongoing study that works with ESS providers to develop and test products and services specifically designed and priced for low cost private schools. Simultaneously, we facilitate coordination within the LCPS sector to aggregate and express its demands by creating educational melas (trade fairs) that are held in clusters of villages and to which all interested LCPS schools in the area are invited. These melas connect interested schools with ESS providers, who demonstrate their products.

In May 2017 the LEAPS team organized and conducted a mela, or fair, for public schools in collaboration with the Punjab Information Technology Board. The mela brought together over 100 public schools and was extremely successful in getting public school teachers, principals, and administrators excited about support services, particularly those that are technology‐based.