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Servaas van der Berg

South African National Research Chair

Servaas van der Berg is professor of Economics at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, and holds the National Research Foundation’s South African National Research Chair in the Economics of Social Policy. His research covers economic development, poverty and income distribution, the economics of education, health and welfare, and fiscal incidence. He has served on the Scientific Advisory Committee of SACMEQ (Southern and Eastern African Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality) and is a fellow of the prestigious International Academy of Education. He acts as consultant to international, regional and other institutions and often provides policy advice to government departments.

September 24, 2023 in 2023, Authors, Conferences and Workshops, Debra Shepherd, Education 2023, Gabrielle Wills, Martin Gustafsson, News and Opinion, Nic Spaull, Nompumelelo Mohohlwane, Nwabisa Makaluza, Presentations, Rebecca Selkirk, Servaas van der Berg, Uncategorized

Conference on Quantitative Education Research (QER) 2023

RESEP held its 7th annual conference on Quantitative Education Research (QER) from 5-6 September 2023 at STIAS, Stellenbosch University.
September 24, 2023 By: RESEP PDF
July 11, 2023 in 2023, Authors, Carol Nuga Deliwe, Chapters in Book, Education, Education - Publications, Education 2023, Publications, Servaas van der Berg

The role of assessment in Foundation Phase improvement: The Annual National Assessments and beyond

Measuring learning outcomes (what learners know and can do) has been a contested terrain for many education systems and researchers, despite universal acknowledgement that assessment…
July 11, 2023 By: Carol Nuga Deliwe and Servaas van der Berg PDF
February 2, 2023 in Chris van Wyk, Education - Reports & Policy, Education 2022, Eldridge Moses, Focus Areas, Heleen Hofmeyr, Herman Meyer, Joel Gondwe, News and Opinion, Rebecca Selkirk, Servaas van der Berg, Uncategorized

Educational issues and the impact of COVID-19: what education data reveal

COVID-19 caused disruptions to schooling on an unprecedented scale. Emerging evidence indicate sthat these disruptions impacted schooling in South Africa in many ways, from shortened…
February 2, 2023 By: Servaas van der Berg, Chris van Wyk, Rebecca Selkirk, Herman Meyer, Heleen Hofmeyr, Eldridge Moses and Joel Gondwe PDF
December 19, 2022 in Authors, Education - Reports & Policy, Education 2022, Gabrielle Wills, News and Opinion, Servaas van der Berg

Covid-19 disruptions and education in South Africa — two years of evidence

RESEP is engaged in a 3-year project (2022-24) to track learning losses, repetition, dropout and school completion patterns among school cohorts impacted by COVID-19 disruptions…
December 19, 2022 By: Gabrielle Wills & Servaas van der Berg PDF
November 3, 2022 in Education - Reports & Policy, Gabrielle Wills, Servaas van der Berg

COVID-19 disruptions and learning in South Africa: two years of evidence

The evidence discussed in this brief confirms that learning losses in South Africa have been large. Covid-19 has disrupted South African education in significant ways,…
November 3, 2022 By: Gabrielle Wills & Servaas van der Berg PDF
May 18, 2022 in Authors, Education - Reports & Policy, News and Opinion, Servaas van der Berg, Uncategorized

New report establishes 2021 Covid-19-related learning losses in WC

Due to the pandemic, South African school children have missed at least three-quarters of a school year in the past two calendar years. That has…
May 18, 2022 By: Servaas van der Berg, Ursula Hoadley, Jaamia Galant, Chris van Wyk, & Bianca Böhmer PDF
March 13, 2022 in Authors, Cobus Burger, Education, Education - Reports & Policy, Martin Gustafsson, Policy Briefs, Reports, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg

School Teacher Supply and Demand in South Africa in 2019 and Beyond

This research report was produced for the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the Department of Basic Education (DBE). The study was undertaken…
March 13, 2022 By: Servaas van der Berg, Martin Gustafsson, and Cobus Burger PDF
November 23, 2021 in 2021, Authors, Education, Education - Working Papers, Education 2021, Focus Areas, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Estimating the impact of five early childhood development programmes against a counterfactual

The Ilifa-Resep ECD Working Paper Series is a collaboration between Ilifa Labantwana and Research on Socio-Economic Policy (Resep) at Stellenbosch University. The working paper series…
November 23, 2021 By: Servaas van der Berg PDF
September 17, 2021 in Chris van Wyk, Education - Reports & Policy, Heleen Hofmeyr, News and Opinion, Policy Briefs, Rebecca Selkirk, Reports, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Uncategorized

Learner flows through schools: Using high quality administrative data to understand education system performance

The report analyses school flows, repetition, and dropout using a novel analysis of school-based assessments, and how well these predict future performance and learner flows.…
September 17, 2021 By: Servaas van der Berg, Chris van Wyk, Rebecca Selkirk, and Heleen Hofmeyr PDF
December 1, 2020 in 2020, Authors, Education, Education - Working Papers, Education 2020, Gabrielle Wills, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Household resource flows and food poverty during South Africa’s lockdown: Short-term policy implications for three channels of social protection

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP22/2020 Publication date: December 2020
December 1, 2020 By: Gabrielle Wills, Servaas van der Berg, Leila Patel, and Bokang Mpeta PDF
November 17, 2020 in 2020, Authors, Chris van Wyk, Education, Education - Working Papers, Education 2020, Rebecca Selkirk, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Schools in the time of COVID-19: Possible implications for enrolment, repetition and dropout

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP20/2020 Publication date: November 2020
November 17, 2020 By: Servaas van der Berg, Chris van Wyk, and Rebecca Selkirk, PDF
November 5, 2020 in Education - Reports & Policy, Gabrielle Wills, Nangamso Mtsatse, Nompumelelo Mohohlwane, Policy Briefs, Reports, Servaas van der Berg

SUMMARY REPORT: Benchmarking early grade reading skills in Nguni languages

This is a summary report that presents the key findings and approach used in identifying early grade reading benchmarks and thresholds in three Nguni languages:…
November 5, 2020 By: Gabrielle Wills, Nangamso Mtsatse, Nicola Deghaye, Nompumelelo Mohohlwane, Servaas van der Berg, Cally Ardington, Elizabeth Pretorius, Alicia Menendez PDF
November 5, 2020 in Education - Reports & Policy, Gabrielle Wills, Nangamso Mtsatse, Nompumelelo Mohohlwane, Policy Briefs, Reports, Servaas van der Berg

TECHNICAL REPORT: Benchmarking early grade reading skills in Nguni languages

This report presents the key findings and approach used in identifying early grade reading benchmarks and thresholds in three Nguni languages: isiZulu, isiXhosa and siSwati. 
November 5, 2020 By: Gabrielle Wills, Nangamso Mtsatse, Nicola Deghaye, Nompumelelo Mohohlwane, Servaas van der Berg, Cally Ardington, Elizabeth Pretorius, Alicia Menendez PDF
October 5, 2020 in Development, Development - Report & Policy, Gabrielle Wills, Policy Briefs, Reports, Servaas van der Berg

Household resource flows and food poverty during South Africa’s lockdown: Short-term policy implications for three channels of social protection.

A report stemming from NIDS-CRAM wave 1, a project consisting of work by a national consortium of 30 social science researchers from five South African…
October 5, 2020 By: Gabrielle Wills, Servaas van der Berg, Leila Patel, Bokang Mpeta PDF
September 30, 2020 in Development, Development - Report & Policy, Focus Areas, Policy Briefs, Reports, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Tia Linda Zuze

The impact of the Coronavirus and lockdown on children’s welfare in South Africa

A report stemming from NIDS-CRAM wave 1, a project consisting of work by a national consortium of 30 social science researchers from five South African…
September 30, 2020 By: Servaas van der Berg, Tia Linda Zuze, Grace Bridgman PDF
September 12, 2020 in Development, Development - Report & Policy, Focus Areas, Policy Briefs, Reports, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Uncategorized

Hunger in South Africa during 2020: Results from Wave 2 of NIDS-CRAM

The first wave of the National Income Dynamics Study – Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey (NIDSCRAM) provided strong evidence that there had been a drastic increase…
September 12, 2020 By: Servaas van der BergGrace Bridgman, Leila Patel PDF
June 19, 2020 in Adaiah Lilenstein, Education, Education - Reports & Policy, Education 2020, Labour, Labour - Reports & Policy, Labour 2020, Nic Spaull, Reports, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg

The Race Between Teacher Wages and the Budget

This report determines how the real resources available to the average child in South Africa have changed over the period 2008 to 2018.
June 19, 2020 By: Nic Spaull, Adaiah Lilenstein, and David Carel PDF
June 16, 2020 in Education, Education - Reports & Policy, Education 2020, Nic Spaull, Reports, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg

Counting the Cost: COVID-19 School Closures in South Africa & its Impact on Children

Van der Berg, S & Spaull, N. (2020). Counting the Cost: COVID-19 school closures in South Africa & its impacts on children. Research on Socioeconomic…
June 9, 2020 in Education, Education 2020, Labour, Labour - Reports & Policy, Labour 2020, Martin Gustafsson, News and Opinion, Servaas van der Berg

Call for Comment on Report: Education and Skills for the Economy and Links to Labour Markets in South Africa

A report by RESEP's Servaas van der Berg, Martin Gustafsson, and Kholekile Malindi titled Education and Skills for the Economy and Links to Labour Markets in…
June 9, 2020 By: Martin Gustafsson, Servaas van der Berg, Kholekile Malindi PDF
May 26, 2020 in Education, Education - Publications, Education 2020, Gabrielle Wills, Journal Articles, Publications, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg

Measuring School Leadership and Management and Linkages with Literacy: Evidence from Rural and Township Primary Schools in South Africa

Wills, G. and van der Berg, S., 2020. Measuring school leadership and management and linkages with literacy: Evidence from rural and township primary schools in…
December 19, 2019 in 2019, Chris van Wyk, Education, Education - Working Papers, Education 2019, Nicola Deghaye, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

The promise of SA-SAMS & DDD data for tracking progression, repetition and drop-out

This paper analyses the SA-SAMS school administration data that the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation in partnership with the Department of Basic Education collects quarterly…
December 19, 2019 By: Servaas van der Berg, Chris van Wyk, Rebecca Selkirk, Kate Rich, and Nicola Deghaye PDF
December 4, 2018 in 2018, Education, Education - Working Papers, Education 2018, Gabrielle Wills, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Measuring leadership and management and their linkages with literacy in rural and township primary schools in South Africa

This paper describes a rigorous process to develop and trial new metrics for measuring and codifying school leadership and management practices and processes that are…
July 16, 2018 in 2017, Education, Education - Working Papers, Education 2017, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Succeeding against the odds: A quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of IkamvaYouth

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP05/2017 Publication date: June 2017 Abstract: The work presented here is essentially an update to the previous evaluation conducted by…
July 16, 2018 By: Servaas van der Berg PDF
July 4, 2018 in 2015, Development, Development - Report & Policy, Development 2015, Research Outputs, Ronelle Burger, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

The long walk: Considering the enduring spatial and racial dimensions of deprivation two decades after the fall of apartheid

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP17/2015 Abstract: This study examines the enduring spatial and racial dimensions of poverty and deprivation in South Africa to assess…
July 4, 2018 By: Ronelle Burger, Servaas van der Berg, Sarel van der Walt, Derek Yu PDF
July 4, 2018 in 2016, Education, Education - Working Papers, Education 2016, Heleen Hofmeyr, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Higher Education Access and Outcomes for the 2008 National Matric Cohort

This study uses a unique dataset to investigate university access, throughput, and dropout for the 2008 national matric cohort. The findings show that university access…
October 17, 2017 in Development, Development - Working Papers, Earlier Working Papers, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Issues in South African Social Security

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP01/2002 Abstract: This paper, originally written at the time of the political transition, provides an overview of social security issues…
October 17, 2017 By: Servaas van der Berg PDF
October 17, 2017 in Earlier Working Papers, Labour, Labour - Working Papers, Labour 2017, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Changing Patterns of South African income distribution: Towards time series estimates of distribution and poverty

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP02/2003 Abstract: Research on income distribution in South Africa has, for obvious reasons, focused on inter-racial (inter-group) income distribution. Quite…
October 17, 2017 By: Servaas van der Berg, Megan Louw PDF
October 17, 2017 in Development, Earlier Working Papers, Ronelle Burger, Rulof Burger, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Trends in poverty and inequality since the political transition

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP01/2005 Abstract: Using a constructed data series and another data series based on AMPS (the All Media and Products Survey),…
October 17, 2017 By: Ronelle Burger, Rulof Burger, Servaas van der Berg, Megan Louw, Derek Yu PDF
October 17, 2017 in Earlier Working Papers, Education, Education - Working Papers, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

How effective are poor schools? Poverty and educational outcomes in South Africa

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP06/2006 Abstract: Massive differentials on achievement tests and examinations reflect South Africa’s divided past. Improving the distribution of educational outcomes…
October 17, 2017 By: Servaas van der Berg PDF
October 17, 2017 in Earlier Working Papers, Education, Education - Working Papers, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Educational attainment and intergenerational social mobility in South Africa

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP09/2006 Abstract: To a large degree, the notoriously high levels of income inequality in South Africa have their roots in…
October 17, 2017 By: Servaas van der Berg, Megan Louw, Derek Yu PDF
October 17, 2017 in Development, Development - Working Papers, Earlier Working Papers, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Consumption patterns and the black middle class: The role of assets

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP02/2007 Abstract: Black consumption patterns differ from those of whites, even when considering income levels and household size. This applies…
October 17, 2017 By: Servaas van der Berg, Sihaam Nieftagodien PDF
October 17, 2017 in Development, Development - Working Papers, Earlier Working Papers, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Post-transition poverty trends based on an alternative data source

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP08/2007 Abstract: This paper analyses a previously unused source of data – the All Media and Product Survey (AMPS) –…
October 17, 2017 By: Servaas van der Berg, Megan Louw, Derek Yu PDF
October 17, 2017 in Development, Development - Working Papers, Earlier Working Papers, Ronelle Burger, Rulof Burger, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

A series of national accounts-consistent estimates of poverty and inequality in South Africa

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP09/2007 Abstract: This paper makes a unique contribution to the South African literature in combining data from an alternative source…
October 17, 2017 By: Ronelle Burger, Rulof Burger, Servaas van der Berg, Megan Louw, Derek Yu PDF
October 17, 2017 in Earlier Working Papers, Education, Education - Working Papers, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Lessons learnt from SACMEQII: South African student performance in regional context

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP16/2007 Abstract: In regional context, South African students benefit from above average levels of public and private education resources. However,…
October 17, 2017 By: Servaas van der Berg, Megan Louw PDF
October 17, 2017 in Development, Development - Working Papers, Earlier Working Papers, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

How invariant is South African child poverty to the choice of equivalence scale or poverty measure?

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP13/2008 Abstract: This paper offers evidence on the sensitivity of child poverty in South Africa to changes in the Adult…
October 17, 2017 By: Servaas van der Berg, Judith Streak, Derek Yu PDF
October 17, 2017 in Earlier Working Papers, Labour, Labour - Working Papers, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Fiscal incidence of social spending in South Africa, 2006

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP10/2009 Abstract: Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has been collecting labour market data since 1993 with the October Household Survey…
October 17, 2017 By: Servaas van der Berg PDF
October 17, 2017 in Cobus Burger, Development, Development - Working Papers, Earlier Working Papers, Eldridge Moses, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

The fiscal incidence of provision of free basic water

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP11/2009 Abstract: A policy of free basic services (water, sanitation and electricity) was introduced by the government in 2000 to…
October 17, 2017 By: Cobus Burger, Eldridge Moses, Servaas van der Berg, Ada Jansen, Hassan Essop PDF
October 17, 2017 in Development, Development - Working Papers, Earlier Working Papers, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Poverty trends since the transition: What we know

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP19/2009 Abstract: Using alternative data sources on income and poverty with a shorter time lag makes it possible to discern…
October 17, 2017 By: Servaas van der Berg, Megan Louw, Leon du Toit PDF
October 17, 2017 in Development, Development - Working Papers, Earlier Working Papers, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Measuring the impact of social cash transfers on poverty and inequality in Namibia

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP25/2009 Abstract: This paper reviews the system for social cash transfers in Namibia, a middle-income country with a long experience…
October 17, 2017 By: Servaas van der Berg, Sebastian Levine, Derek Yu PDF
October 17, 2017 in 2010, Debra Shepherd, Education, Education - Working Papers, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Signalling performance: Continuous assessment and matriculation examination marks in South African schools

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP28/2010 Abstract: Economists regard information and feedback as important ways for self-correction in a system. This study analyses one aspect…
October 17, 2017 in 2010, Debra Shepherd, Development, Development - Working Papers, Dieter von Fintel, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

The impact of the international economic crisis on child poverty in South Africa

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP13/2010 Abstract: This paper reports on a study to provide insights into the magnitude of the shocks associated with the…
October 17, 2017 By: Debra Shepherd, Dieter von Fintel, Servaas van der Berg, Margaret Chitiga, Bernard Decaluwé, Ramos Mabugu, Helene Maisonneve, Véroniwue Rombichaud PDF
October 17, 2017 in 2010, Cobus Burger, Debra Shepherd, Development, Education, Martin Gustafsson, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

The costs of illiteracy in South Africa

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP14/2010 Abstract: In South Africa, there has been a surge in publicly funded adult literacy education in recent years. There…
October 17, 2017 in 2010, Development, Development - Working Papers, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Efficiency and equity effects of social grants in South Africa

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP15/2010 Abstract: This paper discusses the nature and effects of social grants programmes in South Africa against the backdrop of…
October 17, 2017 By: Servaas van der Berg, Krige Siebrits, Bongisa Lekezwa PDF
October 16, 2017 in 2010, Development, Development - Working Papers, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Social assistance reform during a period of fiscal stress

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP17/2010 Abstract: This paper reflects on the current state and likely future of the South African social assistance system, focusing…
October 16, 2017 By: Servaas van der Berg, Krige Siebrits PDF
October 16, 2017 in Development, Education, Gabrielle Wills, Martin Gustafsson, Nic Spaull, Reports, Servaas van der Berg

Identifying Binding Constraints in Education

Synthesis Report for the Programme to Support Pro-Poor Policy Development (PSPPD) This research report provides an overview of a large research project undertaken by a…
October 16, 2017 in 2010, Development, Development - Working Papers, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Current poverty and income distribution in the context of South African history

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP22/2010 Abstract: This paper describes and analyses current poverty and income distribution in South Africa, with a central concern the…
October 16, 2017 By: Servaas van der Berg PDF
October 16, 2017 in 2010, Education, Education - Working Papers, Labour, Rulof Burger, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Teacher pay in South Africa

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP26/2010 Abstract: The role of teachers in achieving good quality education is universally acknowledged. What is less clear is what…
October 16, 2017 in Servaas van der Berg, Theses

The performance of South African schools: Implications for economic development

Abstract: At the time of South Africa‟s transition to democracy the school system was envisaged to be a powerful vehicle for nation-building and transformation. The…
October 16, 2017 By: Servaas van der Berg, Stephen Taylor PDF
October 16, 2017 in 2011, Cobus Burger, Education, Labour, Labour - Working Papers, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Modelling cognitive skills, ability and school quality to explain labour market earnings differentials

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP08/2011 Abstract: Attempts to explain wage differences between race groups in South Africa are constrained by the fact that quality…
October 16, 2017 in 2011, Education, Education - Working Papers, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

How well do South African schools convert grade 8 achievement into matric outcomes?

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP13/2011 Abstract: School retention in South Africa and performance in the major school-leaving matric examination are characterised by significant inequalities…
October 16, 2017 By: Servaas van der Berg PDF
October 16, 2017 in 2012, Dieter von Fintel, Education, Labour, Rulof Burger, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

The unintended consequences of education policies on South African participation and unemployment

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP11/2012 Abstract: In the late 1990s the South African Department of Education implemented two policies that were meant to reduce…
October 16, 2017 in 2012, Education, Education 2013, Labour, Labour - Working Papers, Labour 2013, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

Graduate unemployment in South Africa: A much exaggerated problem.

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP22/2012 Abstract: Increasing reference in the media and public discussions to high and rising levels of graduate unemployment in the…
October 16, 2017 By: Servaas van der Berg, Hendrik van Broekhuizen PDF
October 16, 2017 in Debra Shepherd, Publications, Servaas van der Berg

Journal Articles (Non-subsidised)

CHITIGA M, DECALUWE B, MABUGU ERM, MAISONNAVE H, ROBICHAUD R, SHEPHERD DL, VAN DER BERG S, VON FINTEL D.P. A retrospective look at how well…
October 16, 2017 in 2013, Chris van Wyk, Education, Education - Working Papers, Education 2013, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

The first five years project – a cohort study of students awarded NSFAS loans in the first five years 2000-2004

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP11/2013 This study was commissioned by NSFAS to use available data to arrive at a picture that would reflect the…
October 16, 2017 By: Chris van Wyk, Servaas van der Berg, Pierre de Villiers PDF
October 16, 2017 in 2015, Development, Development - Working Papers, Development 2015, Research Outputs, Ronelle Burger, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

The Capability Threshold: Re-examining the definition of the middle class in an unequal developing country

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP16.2015 Publication date: 2015 Abstract: In a polarised and highly unequal country such as South Africa, it is unlikely that…
October 16, 2017 By: Ronelle Burger, Servaas van der Berg, Camren McAravey PDF
October 16, 2017 in 2015, Education, Education - Working Papers, Education 2015, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

What the Annual National Assessments can tell us about learning deficits over the education system and the school career year

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP18.2015 Publication date: 2015 Abstract: Much hope is placed on education systems to reduce socio-economic learning gaps. However, in South…
October 16, 2017 By: Servaas van der Berg PDF
October 16, 2017 in 2017, Chris van Wyk, Education, Education - Working Papers, Education 2017, Marlies Piek, Research Outputs, Ronelle Burger, Servaas van der Berg, Working Papers

The performance of low fee independent schools in South Africa – What can available data tell?

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP01/2017 Publication date: January 2017 Abstract: This study uses a unique dataset to investigate university access, throughput, and dropout for…
October 16, 2017 By: Chris van Wyk, Marlies Piek, Ronelle Burger, Servaas van der Berg, Janeli Kotzé, Kate Rich PDF
October 16, 2017 in Education, Education - Reports & Policy, Education 2017, Policy Briefs, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg

What the ANAs tell us about socioeconomic learning gaps in South Africa

Stellenbosch Policy Brief No. 03/2016 Abstract: The South African school system is under pressure to develop children’s potential irrespective of home background. But currently the…
October 16, 2017 By: Servaas van der Berg PDF
October 11, 2017 in Education, Education 2017, News and Opinion, Servaas van der Berg

RESEP hosts its third Quantitative Applications in Education Research Conference, 28 & 29 September 2017

RESEP held its third annual "Quantitative Applications in Education Research" conference at STIAS in Stellenbosch from 28 – 29 September 2017.
October 11, 2017 By: Servaas van der Berg, RESEP PDF
August 14, 2017 in 2017, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Theses

Social Gradients, Early Childhood Education and Schools Performing Above the Demographic Expectation: Empirical Insights into Educational Issues

Candidate: Janeli Kotzé Supervisor: Professor Servaas van der Berg Institution: Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Department of Economics Abstract: This dissertation exploits the wide variety…
August 14, 2017 By: Servaas van der Berg, Janeli Kotzé (Candidate) PDF
July 17, 2017 in Dieter von Fintel, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Theses, Theses 2017, Thomas Ferreira

The extension of existing data and methods to measure poverty and mobility in data-poor, agrarian sub-Saharan Africa

Candidate: Thomas Ferreira Supervisor: Professor Servaas van der Berg Co-supervisor: Doctor Dieter von Fintel Institution: Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Department of Economics   Abstract:…
October 16, 2016 in Research Outputs, Ronelle Burger, Servaas van der Berg, Theses, Theses 2016

Healthcare reform priorities for South Africa: Four essays on the financing, delivery and user acceptability of healthcare

Candidate: Anna Maria Smith Supervisor: Professor Ronnel Burger Co-supervisor: Professor Servaas van der Berg Institution: Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Department of Economics Abstract: Despite…
October 16, 2016 By: Rulof Burger, Servaas van der Berg, Anna Maria Smith (Candidate) PDF
October 16, 2016 in Gabrielle Wills, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Theses, Theses 2016

An economic perspective on school leadership and teachers’ unions in South Africa

  PhD Thesis  Candidate: Gabrielle Wills Supervisor: Professor Servaas van der Berg Institution: Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Department of Economics   Abstract: This dissertation…
August 14, 2016 in Debra Shepherd, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Theses, Theses 2016

The open door of learning – Access restricted: School effectiveness and efficiency across the South African education system

Candidate: Debra Shepherd Supervisor: Professor Servaas van der Berg and Professor Chris Elbers Institution: Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Department of Economics Abstract: The enduring…
August 14, 2016 By: Debra Shepherd, Servaas van der Berg, Chris Elbers (Co-supervisor) PDF
August 14, 2016 in Research Outputs, Rulof Burger, Servaas van der Berg, Theses, Theses 2016

Measuring social and economic mobility in South Africa: New approaches to well-known survey data concerns

Candidate: Amus Zoch Supervisor: Doctor Rulof Burger Co-supervisor: Professor Servaas van der Berg Institution: Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Department of Economics   Abstract: The…
August 14, 2016 By: Rulof Burger, Servaas van der Berg, Amus Zoch (Candidate) PDF
July 17, 2016 in Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Theses, Theses 2016

An empirical analysis of poverty, inequality and the labour market in Malawi

DCom Thesis Candidate: Anderson Gondwe Supervisor: Professor Servaas van der Berg Institution: Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Department of Economics Abstract This thesis is a…
July 17, 2016 By: Servaas van der Berg, Anderson Gondwe (PhD Candidate) PDF
June 19, 2016 in Research Outputs, Ronelle Burger, Servaas van der Berg, Theses, Theses 2016

The assessment and improvement of the health status of vulnerable and low income individuals in South Africa: an analysis using quantitative and experimental methods

Candidate: Laura Rossouw Supervisor: Professor Ronelle burger Co-supervisor: Professor Servaas van der Berg Institution: Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Department of Economics   Abstract: More than…
June 19, 2016 By: Ronelle Burger, Servaas van der Berg, Laura Rossouw (candidate) PDF
October 16, 2015 in Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Theses, Theses 2015

Teachers in the South African Education System: An Economic Perspective

Candidate: Paula Armstrong Supervisor: Professor Servaas van der Berg Institution: Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Department of Economics Abstract: Chapter 1 investigates teacher wages in…
October 16, 2015 By: Servaas van der Berg, Paula Armstrong (candidate) PDF
October 16, 2015 in Marisa von Fintel, Research Outputs, Rulof Burger, Servaas van der Berg, Theses, Theses 2015

Social Mobility and Cohesion in Post-Apartheid South Africa

Candidate:  Marisa von Fintel Supervisor: Professor Servaas van der Berg Co-supervisor: Doctor Rulof Burger Institution: Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Department of Economics Abstract: Twenty years…
October 16, 2015 in Nic Spaull, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Theses, Theses 2015

Education Quality in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa: An Economic Approach

Candidate: Nic Spaul Supervisor: Professor Servaas van der Berg Institution: Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Department of Economics Abstract: Education has always occupied a central…
October 16, 2015 By: Nic Spaull, Servaas van der Berg PDF
September 9, 2015 in Debra Shepherd, Development, Development - Publications, Development 2015, Dieter von Fintel, Journal Articles, Publications, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg

A Retrospective Look at How Well a Macro‐Micro Model Can Analyze the Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on a Developing Country

  Abstract This article is a follow-up to one that looked at the impact of the economic crisis on child poverty in South Africa using…
September 9, 2015 By: Debra Shepherd, Dieter von Fintel, Servaas van der Berg, Margaret Chitiga, Bernard Decaluwe, Ramos Mabugu, Helene Maisonnave, Veronique Robichaud PDF
February 15, 2015 in Debra Shepherd, Education, Education - Publications, Education 2015, Journal Articles, Publications, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg

Reflecting on an impact evaluation of the Grade R programme: Method, results and policy responses

Abstract: This paper describes the expansion since 2001 of a public pre-school programme in South Africa known as ‘Grade R’, summarises the findings from an…
February 8, 2015 in Debra Shepherd, Education, Education - Publications, Education 2014, Journal Articles, Publications, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg

Continuous assessment and matriculation examination marks—an empirical examination

  Abstract: This study analyses information and feedback from matriculation-level continuous assessment in the South African education system in 2005. Continuous assessment (CASS) at the…
October 16, 2014 in Dieter von Fintel, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Theses, Theses 2014

Spatial Heterogeneity, Generational Change and Childhood Socioeconomic Status: Microeconomic Solutions to South African Labour Market Questions

PhD Thesis  Candidate: Dieter von Fintel Supervisor: Professor Servaas van der Berg Institution: Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Department of Economics Abstract Microeconometric techniques have…
October 16, 2014 in Martin Gustafsson, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Theses, Theses 2014

Education and Country Growth Models

  PhD Thesis  Candidate: Martin Gustafsson Supervisor: Professor Servaas van der Berg Institution: Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Department of Economics Abstract The over-arching concern…
October 4, 2013 in Chris van Wyk, Debra Shepherd, Education, Education - Reports & Policy, Education 2013, Policy Briefs, Servaas van der Berg

The impact of the introduction of grade r on learning outcomes

In December 2012 the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) in the Presidency in partnership with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) commissioned an…
October 4, 2013 By: Chris van Wyk, Debra Shepherd, Servaas van der Berg, Elizabeth Girdwood, John Kruger, Janeli Viljoen, Olivia Ezeobi, Poppie Ntaka PDF
October 16, 2012 in Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Theses, Theses 2013

Understanding poverty and inequality in Mozambique: the role of education and labour market status

PhD Thesis  Candidate: Carlos da Maia Supervisor: Professor Servaas van der Berg Institution: Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Department of Economics Abstract This thesis deals…
October 16, 2012 By: Servaas van der Berg, Carlos da Maia (candidate) PDF
August 15, 2012 in Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Theses

Using household surveys for deriving labour market, poverty and inequality trends in South Africa

Candidate: Kwan Cheung Derek Yu Supervisor: Professor Servaas van der Berg Institution: Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Department of Economics   Abstract: In order to evaluate…
August 15, 2012 By: Servaas van der Berg, Kwan Cheung Derek Yu (Candidate) PDF
July 9, 2012 in Chapters in Book, Debra Shepherd, Development, Development - Publications, Dieter von Fintel, Publications, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg

Child Poverty in South Africa and the Global Financial and Economic Crisis

Book Summary Experts from the global North and South analyse the implications of economic crises on children, with a particular focus on the emerging evidence…
July 9, 2012 By: Debra Shepherd, Dieter von Fintel, Servaas van der Berg, Margaret Chitiga, Ramos Mabugu, Hélène Maisonnave, Véronique Robichaud PDF
June 14, 2012 in Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Theses

Aspects of the economics of water management in urban settings in South Africa, with a focus on Cape Town 

PhD Thesis  Candidate: Ada Isobel Jansen Supervisor: Professor Servaas van der Berg Institution: Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Department of Economics Abstract…
June 14, 2012 By: Servaas van der Berg, Ada Isobel Jansen (PhD Candidate) PDF
October 16, 2011 in Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Theses

Child poverty in South Africa and the performance of the Child Support Grant programme

  PhD Thesis  Candidate: Judith Streak Supervisor: Professor Servaas van der Berg Institution: Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Department of Economics Abstract: One of the…
October 16, 2011 By: Servaas van der Berg, Judith Streak (Candidate) PDF
October 16, 2011 in Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Theses

Improving the well-being of the poor through microfinance: evidence from the Small Enterprise Foundation in South Africa

  PhD Thesis  Candidate: Maria Albertina Kirsten Supervisor: Professor Servaas van der Berg Co-supervisor: Professor Andrie Schoombee Institution: Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Department of Economics…
October 16, 2011 By: Servaas van der Berg, Maria Albertina Kirsten (candidate), Andrie Schoombee (co-supervisor) PDF
October 16, 2009 in Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Theses

On the value of environmental pragmatism in economic decision-making: With special reference to the work of Bryan Norton

  PhD Thesis  Candidate: Leanne Seeliger Supervisor: Professor Johan Hattingh Co-supervisor: Professor Servaas van der Berg Institution: Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Department of…
October 16, 2009 By: Servaas van der Berg, Leanne Seeliger (candidate), Johan Hattingh (supervisor) PDF
November 9, 2008 in Debra Shepherd, Education, Education - Publications, Journal Articles, Publications, Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg

 An analysis of continuous assessment (CASS) compared to matriculation examination results at South African schools

Abstract: This study analyses information and feedback from matriculation-level continuous assessment in the South African education system in 2005. Continuous assessment (CASS) at the time…
October 16, 2005 in Research Outputs, Servaas van der Berg, Theses

Credit demand and credit rationing in the informal financial sector in Uganda

  DCom Thesis  Candidate: Nathan Okurut Supervisor: Professor Servaas van der Berg Institution: Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Department of Economics Abstract: This study…
October 16, 2005 By: Servaas van der Berg, Nathan Okurut (candidate), Andrie Schoombee (co-supervisor) PDF