The research formed parts of a larger project, “Towards Child Labor Free Cocoa Growing Communities in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana through an Integrated Area-Based Approach (IAB),” an initiative of the International Labor Organization International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labor (ILO/IPEC) and the Ghana Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare. JMK was engaged by the International Labor Organization (ILO) to carry out a needs assessment of schools, including girls and children, teachers and the School Management Committee (SMC) in 40 cocoa-growing communities in Wasa Amenfi, Birim South, Twifo Hemang and Suhum Kraboa Coaltar. The project aimed at mapping out the ‘real’ educational needs with a focus on the target schools and School Management Committees, including training needs for teachers and the SMCs in the four (4) and forty (40) CCP target districts and communities  , respectively to ensure a needs-driven approach in the design and implementation of education interventions.

KEY OUTPUTS AT-A-GLANCE

In undertaking this assignment, JMK:

1.       Developed an inception report detailing the methodology and providing an overview of the major methods for collecting and analyzing data (questionnaires, interviews, documentation review, observation, focus group, case studies, database, etc.);

2.      Designed three different data collection tools.

3.      Designed the CAPI and loaded the electronic data collection form on the ODK configured smartphones.

4.      Recruited, trained, and managed a team of 12 interviewers and 2 supervisors with appropriate quantitative and qualitative research experience and skills.

5. Delivered a 4-day personnel training of field teams, including field trials of the data collection tools.

6. Collected data from 580 headteachers, 1,860 school children, 480 SMC/PTA members

7. Generated a report of the assignment.