Boosting Learning through Social Behavioral Change in Ghana

By Mila Kimbuini, Regional Digital and Content Manager 

Slight adjustments can lead to significant improvements in children’s ability to learn and develop their skills. World Vision Ghana is empowering parents to make two impactful changes in their children’s education: establishing a reading corner and creating a structured learning schedule at home.

The social behavioral change project model for education started in Fanteakwa with two pilot phases of 6 months. Currently, World Vision Ghana is expanding the project to all seven area programmes that run education projects in the country, making it a part of their regular programming, as stated by Fred Selorm Parku, Education Technical Program Manager.

Fred Selorm Parku, Education Technical Program Manager, explained that the first phase of the intervention was piloted in 2022. During those parental awareness sessions, World Vision Ghana engaged with dozens of parents in Fanteakwa to create reading corners in their houses, giving their children dedicated spaces to learn at home. This group was also sensitised to the importance of supporting children’s learning by creating a time schedule and helping children stick to it.

The second group, which focused on control, engaged only 20 families and shared ideas with them.

“And after evaluation, it was evident that solely the parents from the intervention group, the first one, implemented the changes,” said Fred Selorm Parku, WV Ghana’s Education Technical Program Manager.

The second phase involved a radio drama reinforcing what the parents were taught. It aired on radio stations across the southern district of Fanteakwa in 2023. In some cases, the radio drama was aired in the community information center, a local radio station built with the support of World Vision.

Why Children Are Unable to Learn at Home:

• Lack of Dedicated Space: There is no specific area like a corner or desk for studying.
• Excessive Chores: Children are too involved in household chores.
• Lack of Schedule: Children spend time playing around without a structured schedule.

Result: Learning was only happening at school, which is insufficient.

After six months of implementing this project, the noticeable shift in behavior indicated that children were able to read the books they borrowed. This improvement was due to parents reminding them to read and having a dedicated learning space, according to Fred Selorm Parku.

Amina, one of the caregivers, shared her experience: “Before the training, I thought children only learned at school and that it was enough. But now I realize that learning at home is equally important. I now teach my two daughters by utilizing locally available resources at home, like showing them the differences between fruits and plants so they can learn practically.” Amina also mentioned that her children have developed a motivation to learn new concepts.

Addressing Ghana’s Educational Hurdles in rural area

Education is a significant problem in Ghana, particularly in rural areas where many schools lack teachers. The amenities and facilities in these areas are often inadequate. While some teachers are willing to work in these regions, they often leave due to the challenging conditions.

The closer you get to the villages and farther from the cities, the fewer resources schools have in terms of materials, structures, and buildings. In some places, there are no schools at all.