impact study: non-formal education

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL POLICY & INTERVENTION

Impact Study Non-Formal Education

Presentation aims

1.  Impacts of NFE for youth

2.  Factors that influence program impacts

3.  Ways to strengthen impacts on youth outcomes

Impacts of non-formal education

What’s the problem?

  Economic cost of youth exclusion: 7.3% GDP ($1.5 billion) in Jordan

  Dropouts at higher risk:   Problem behaviors   Lower emotional wellbeing   Exploitive work   Abuse   Lower lifetime earnings



Why do youth leave school?

  Did not like school (28%)   School failure (18%)

  Family restrictions—girls (9%)

  Household poverty (5%)

Jordan Dept of Statistics – Jordan Multipurpose Household Survey 2003

Theory of Change


Participatory methodology

Social emotional

development

Positive transitions to

adulthood

Study sample


Randomized study design


Dropout youth (127)

pretest NFE

(6 centers)

Control (waitlist)

posttest 4-month

Qualitative interviews (36) + Empowerment survey (100)

Impact on Conduct Problems


Conduct problems predict future problems with: - Relationships - Mental health - Unemploym’t - Partner violence - Illegal behavior

Control NFE

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE IMPACTS


Factor 1. Feeling Empowered


  Centers varied in how empowered youth felt (supported and involved in program planning and implementation)

  Key finding: Greater impacts on youth in centers where they felt more empowered (especially for prosocial behavior & social skills)

  Makes strong case for Participatory Methodology

  Age group difference: Older youth (16-21) felt more empowered by the program than younger youth (13-15)

Factor 2: Exposure


•  52% of youth attended 2+ days per wk

•  More attendance related to more impact

less than 2 days per week average

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2 da

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Attendance & Peer Social Supports Outcome

Pretest Posttest

Factor 3: Age group


  Data shows more program effect on younger adolescents (13-15)

  Younger youth may need more:   Participatory experiences

  Positive peer group activities

  Older youth may need more:   Challenging leadership roles

  Intimate relationships

BEST PRACTICES


What youth need from facilitators

★ listening (to all) ★ making youth feel valuable ★ friendship ★ patience ★ engaging activities


Top attributes

What facilitators need from partners/institutions ★ Input & roles in program priorities

★ Communication & coordination

★ Professional development

★ Increased resources for activities & youth support


Concluding recommendations

1.  Expand participatory methodologies in schools & communities

2.  Develop participatory approaches geared towards different age groups; integrate youth-led projects with adult support

3.  Ensure regularity of facilitator development & exchanges

4.  High frequency & diversity of engaging activities (led by youth input)

5.  On-going evaluation systems of program processes & impacts (not just inputs & outputs)


Thank you!

Ministry of Education, Questscope, Oxford University, Al-Hayat Center, British Council Funded by Open Society Institute Foundation & Questsope email: [email protected]
