Abstract In Bolivia, although primary education enrolment rates are high, major gaps persist for those who face higher op- portunity costs to study, such as girls and indigenous and rural students. To address this situation, a conditional cash transfer program known as the Bono Juancito Pinto was designed for primary school students in 2006. This type of program has the potential to improve access to education, foster social mobility and help ight intergenerational pov- erty. Five years on, has Bolivia’s scheme generated positive results? The ex ante impact analysis presented in this policy brief suggests that the program has led to an increase in enrolment levels and reduced income inequality, yet its impact on poverty remains low. With a view to maximizing the results of the transfer, this document presents policy options that target population groups with high education opportunity costs, each designed and evaluated through micro-simulations. The Juancito Pinto conditional cash transfer program in Bolivia: Analyzing the impact on primary education Ernesto Yáñez, Ronald Rojas and Diego Silva Bolivia’s Juancito Pinto cash transfer program • will have a positive impact on the levels of school enrolment and income distribution with a moderate impact on poverty levels. Complementary programs that help ofset costs • of studying such as distribution of school sup- plies, transportation and school meals could contribute to the program’s goals. Diferentiated interventions for rural students • and girls —two population groups facing high opportunity costs to study— could improve results of the program and reduce inequality. Ofering higher cash transfers for students com- • pleting upper grades of primary school would increase enrolment. Essentials Policy Brief May 2011