Optimising Messaging to Promote Returns to School in Ghana for Marginalised Learners

Country: Ghana | Topic Area: Participation & Messaging

Project summary

Using messaging to share information on the benefits, costs, and quality of education can be a highly cost-effective way to promote participation in schooling and achieve substantial learning gains. However, there are unanswered questions regarding why messaging works in some contexts and not in others, and what is it specifically about messaging that works? 

This study will answer these questions by evaluating the impact that tailoring different message characteristics has on promoting returns to education among marginalised groups in Ghana. 

Using sandbox and design-based research (DBR) methodologies, the impact of tailoring individual message characteristics will be tested with small experiment groups.

The learning from these experiments will subsequently support a large-scale quantitative analysis to determine the relative impact that optimising important message characteristics has on students’ attendance rate, and the variation in impact between different marginalised groups. Ultimately this intends to further the evidence-base for answering which aspects of messaging are most effective in increasing participation in education for marginalised groups.

Image Credit: Daniel Peprah

Research questions

  • What is the efficacy of different message characteristics and modalities?
  • How cost-effective are different models of message delivery?
  • What is the overall impact on attitudes and attendance of girls and other marginalised learners?
  • What are the comparative findings about the suitability of messaging in different contexts, and what are the practical implications of these findings?

Discover evidence

Story of change

In recent years, Northern Ghana has made significant strides in improving educational opportunities for girls and other marginalised learners, aiming to promote school attendance. Wunni Sabo, a parent from the Zarantinga community, shares his experience.

Read more

Study contacts

Key partner roles

Partners
Connect with Us

Get a regular round-up of the latest in clear evidence, better decisions, and more learning in EdTech.

Connect with Us​

Get a regular round-up of the latest in clear evidence, better decisions, and more learning in EdTech.

EdTech Hub is supported by

The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in the content on this site do not necessarily reflect the views of The UK government, Bill & Melinda Gates foundation or the World Bank, the Executive Directors of the World Bank, or the governments they represent.

EDTECH HUB 2024. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

to top