Análise da eficiência do gasto público em educação nos municípios do Estado do Ceará

Abstract

This study assessed the efficiency of municipal public spending on education across the 184 municipalities of the state of Ceará (Brazil) using Data Envelopment Analysis with Tone’s (2001) slacks-based measure (DEA-SBM), assuming variable returns to scale and adopting both input- and output-oriented specifications. The input was real (inflation-adjusted) annual spending per student in municipal primary education, obtained from SICONFI. Outputs were defined under two alternative models: (i) an input–output model with educational outcome variables, measured by average IDEB and by (100 − the age–grade distortion rate); and (ii) an input–output model with service provision variables, measured by teachers per student and classrooms per student, using data from IPECE. Results show that, in the outcome model, mean efficiency was approximately 0.72 under input orientation and 0.82 under output orientation, with a strong negative association between spending per student and input-oriented efficiency; eight municipalities were efficient under both orientations (Camocim, Forquilha, Juazeiro do Norte, Limoeiro do Norte, Pires Ferreira, Quixadá, Redenção, and Sobral). In the provision model, mean efficiency was about 0.74 (input orientation) and 0.57 (output orientation), with four efficient municipalities (Tururu, Arneiroz, Juazeiro do Norte, and Barro). Slack analysis indicated predominance of input excess in the input-oriented outcome model, whereas generalized output shortfalls were observed in the output-oriented provision model, suggesting insufficient teachers and classrooms given observed spending. Overall, efficiency assessments are sensitive to the choice of outputs and model orientation, indicating scope both for spending rationalization and for improvements in service provision capacity and educational outcomes depending on policy objectives.