Community barriers to primary education access in Rural Nigeria; Social Networks, beliefs and attitudes

• In Event: Evidence into action: Program Learning on USAID Nigeria LEARN to READ

Proposal

Student attendance is poor in Northern Nigeria and the key reasons for poor attendance, and the social norms and community-level influences behind these reasons are not well understood. USAID Nigeria LEARN to READ, in collaboration with partner CODE and local communities, conducted a Social Network Analysis study to better understand the social barriers children face that prevent them from accessing primary education.

The study focused on the following research questions:

Primary Research Questions - Community Social Network Analysis (SNA)
1. What are the types and structures of formal and informal networks in communities?
2. Who are the identified formal and informal opinion leaders?
3. How can activities be designed that leverage community network communication channels to diffuse support for primary education?
Primary Research Questions - Community Behavioral Barriers
1. What are the social and individual norms that inhibit community mobilization to support basic education programming in schools?
2. What are the social and individual norms regarding the community’s responsibility of supporting children’s literacy and numeracy (at home)?
3. How can activities be designed to mitigate behavioral barriers to community mobilization regarding support of quality and safe primary education?

In July and August 2024, LEARN to READ, in collaboration with the States’ Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), conducted Social Network Analyses (SNA) and behavioral quantitative studies of community and religious leaders across the three States. The study consisted of 150 participants. The SNA design includes a census of leaders within two communities per state to ensure that all communications and relationships can be properly mapped at the community level.

The presenter will share the findings of the SNA and how they were used to support Social Behavior Change Communications (SBCC) programming design.

Author

• Mary Yuwadi Apagu, Adamawa Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development