Assessing the impact of an asset-based intervention on educational outcomes of orphaned children and adolescents: findings from a randomised experiment in Uganda

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the effect of an asset-based intervention on academic performance and school transition among orphaned and vulnerable children in Uganda. Participants were randomly assigned to either the control arm or two treatment arms receiving an asset-based intervention. Participants in the treatment arms scored better grades; and had higher odds of transitioning to post-primary education relative to the control arm. Programmes which target financial insecurity may have a positive impact on the educational achievement and progression of orphaned children. There is a need to consider incorporating asset-based interventions within the development of educational policy, especially in low-income countries.

KEYWORDS:

• Academic performance
• school transition
• Bridges to the future
• orphaned children

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development [1R01 HD070727-01].

Notes on contributors

Nabunya Proscovia

Nabunya Proscovia is a Research Assistant Professor at Washington University in St. Louis. Her research is focused on social support systems, HIV/AIDS, and poverty-reduction strategies for children and families affected by HIV/AIDS.

Namatovu Phionah

Namatovu Phionah is a Project Coordinator for ICHAD and SMART Africa-Uganda. She is interested in evidence-based practices to improve child behavioral health outcomes.

Damulira Christopher

Damulira Christopher is a Data Manager at the ICHAD Center in Uganda. He is interested in public health and child welfare issues.

Kivumbi Apollo

Kivumbi Apollo is the in-country Principal Investigator for SMART Africa-Uganda. He is interested in child and adolescent mental health intervention research.

William Byansi

William Byansi is a Social Work Doctoral student at Washington University in St. Louis. His research interest is in child and adolescent behavioral health services and community development.

Mukasa Miriam

Mukasa Miriam is the Head of Operations at the ICHAD Center in Uganda. She is interested in organizational psychology and worker motivation issues.

Ssewamala M. Fred

Ssewamala M. Fred is a Professor at Washington University in St. Louis. His research is focused on innovative economic empowerment and social protection interventions for children and youth in sub-Saharan Africa.