Author(s): Stylianos Gr. Margaritis and Ifigeneia-Dimitra Ath. Pougkakioti
This article continues the work of previous studies, exploring the efficiency of secondary education by applying a non-parametric methodology. The article review previous studies as well as some conceptual and methodological issues of a non-parametric approach. Most importantly, the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique is introduced and then applied to a range of EU countries, including Greece, to assess the technical efficiency of secondary education. Empirical results show that technical efficiency in secondary education varies considerably in the vast majority of EU countries. Greece shows a high level of technical efficiency in secondary education, ranking it in the second quartile among EU countries. Therefore, for a better picture, it is recommended that public expenditure on secondary education be streamlined with a possible redirection of certain excessive resources in the field of higher education.