Examining the factors that influence pupil attainment in India forms the central part of this study commissioned by OPI. Manisha Singh of the India Development Foundation. is analysing a large scale data set from Uttar Pradesh in order to relate teacher, pupil and school characteristics with examination results. She sets out to answer three main questions:

Does it make a difference if teachers are employed on temporary rather than on permanent contracts?

Do teacher qualifications have a significant impact on pupil attainment?

How do peers affect the attainment of other school children?