Trapped in low performance? Tracking the learning trajectory of disadvantaged girls and boys in the Complementary Basic Education programme in Ghana. (2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carter, Emma; Rose, Pauline; Sabates, Ricardo; Akyeampong, Kwame
• Is Part Of: International journal of educational research. Volume 100(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020
• Subjects: Gender -- Low attainment -- Complementary education -- Primary schooling -- Out of school -- Ghana; Education -- Evaluation -- Periodicals; Curriculum evaluation -- Periodicals; Education -- Periodicals; Program Evaluation -- Periodicals; Éducation -- Évaluation -- Périodiques; Programmes d'études -- Evaluation -- Périodiques; Éducation -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Curriculum evaluation; Education -- Evaluation; Periodicals; 370.72
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijer.2020.101541
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-0355

Abstract

Highlights: Research assesses learning in complementary education and school transition in Ghana. Initial low learning is shown to be associated with subsequent low performance. Boys are more likely than girls to escape the trap of low performance. Greater support for most marginalised is needed in complementary and formal schools. Abstract: This study examines the link between initial school performance on subsequent learning for marginalised children in the Complementary Basic Education programme in Northern Ghana. Specifically, we focus on whether initial low performance of girls and boys differentially affects learning trajectories. Drawing on longitudinal data, we find a significant association between initial and subsequent low performance as students transit into formal education, even after taking account of other potential factors. Boys are more likely than girls to improve from low attainment as they move into formal school. As such, girls are at particular risk of maintaining low levels of learning, and therefore warrant greater support within both complementary and mainstream schooling contexts.