Efficiency and Equity in matching Pre-School (i.e. kindergartens) and Children: Mechanism Design Approach (EEMD)

Project facts

Project promoter:
Tallinn University of Technology
Project Number:
EE09-0004
Target groups
Civil servants/Public administration staff,
Young adults
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€200,000
Final project cost:
€191,287
From Norway Grants:
€ 138,205
The project is carried out in:
Estonia

More information

Description

There is a gap in Estonia regarding the availability of nursery school places, legislation and actual practice. The legislation prescribes a right to a place in nursery school after the parental benefit, the reality is full of confusion. Uncertainty in the distribution of nursery school places creates an opportunity to manipulate the system, giving advantages to families with higher socio-economic statuses. The goal of the project is to develop and apply alternative matching mechanisms for children and nursery schools. The mechanism considered is the allocation principle leading to the desired attributes of distribution. The outcome will be achieved through a quantitative study; qualitative feedback from workshops; identification/analysis of political goals; axiomatic design; testing of the algorithm. The project is intended for the parents of children aged 1.5-7. Target groups: local government; parents; vulnerable groups of society; public policymakers; general public. Telemark Univ. College, as the donor project partner, evaluates the experience and developments in Norway, shares experiences on possible solutions and is an independent adviser.

Summary of project results

The project developed and piloted an equitable mechanism of distribution children to near-home nursery schools. The outcome was achieved through designing an algorithm. The project was intended for the parents of children aged 1.5-7. Target groups were local government; parents; vulnerable groups of society; public policymakers; general public.

Summary of bilateral results

Telemark Univ. College, as the donor project partner, evaluated the experience and developments in Norway, shared experiences on possible solutions and was an independent adviser. Harku Municipality was a pilot region for the mechanism.