What Works Hub for Global Education Outcomes Fund Study: Ghana and Sierra Leone

• In Event: Evidence on evidence uptake across the education ecosystem: Parents, teachers, nongovernmental organisations and policymakers

Proposal

The Governments of Ghana and Sierra Leone, supported by the Education Outcomes Fund, FCDO and other donors and research partners, have designed an innovative outcomes-based funding mechanism: the Ghana Education Outcomes Project (GEOP) and the Sierra Leone Education Innovation Challenge (SLEIC). These initiatives aim to identify which interventions implemented by non-state education providers (Service Providers) are most effective in advancing national education priorities, including student retention, girls’ participation in school, and learning.

This presentation draws on evidence from full-sample school surveys conducted in 650 schools under SLEIC and 1220 schools under GEOP. We examine the direct impact of Provider activities on intermediate outcomes such as the behaviour of teachers in and out of school, such as student time-off task, teacher absence, student engagement in schooling and teacher numeracy. We also assess final student outcomes, including foundational literacy and numeracy (via low-stakes assessments) and non-cognitive skills such as grit and growth mindset.

Complementing these quantitative measures, we share implementation insights gathered through in-depth interviews that highlight how Providers adapt their practices, as well as their successes, challenges, and unexpected learnings. Together, this research provides evidence on not only what changes occur under an outcomes fund mechanism, but also offers insights into how and why these changes take place.

Authors

• Jennifer Opare-Kumi, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford

• Noam Angrist, Youth Impact; What Works Hub for Global Education, University of Oxford