3 CCTS

Conditional Cash Transfers

Quality of schoolijg is worse in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Given lower school quality, undernutrition and the earnings a child can generate by working instead of studying, many children leave school early. CCTs are one policy practiced in order to keep children in school. 

The government grant regular monetary support for families whose children attend school regularly, and have regular health check ups. The money porvided accounts for the income the family loses by having their child in school and not working. 

Case study: Mexico: introduced 1990s

Believed to be most widely effective tactic for reducing poverty. Before this,  had several food distribution ministries that didn't make much difference. Were inefficient and poorly run. Often failed to reach the very poor. There was no mechanism to ensure food reached vulnerable, poor children. Poor health and education as a child are determinant of lifelong poverty.

Now covers 5 million households in Mexico, 1/5 of population. 

• Cash trasfers: may be used to improve nutrition and health
• nutritional supplments for children under 2, pregnant and breastfeeding women and children between 2 and 5 showing signs of malnutrition
• growth monitoring
• other preventative measures such as required participation in meetings where hygiene and nutrition is taught.

Usually paid through mothers as research shows that mothers use more of their income…