The Impact of Igo’s Monthly Stipend and Life Skills Training on Academic Performance of Undergraduate Destitute Students in Ethiopia From, 2019 - 2023.

Abstract

In developing countries like Ethiopia, although destitute students technically have access to education, they still face significant barriers to completing their schooling.  This study analyzes the impact of the Institute for Global Outreach’s (IGO) Student Empowerment Initiative, particularly its monthly stipend, and the university-provided Life Skills Training (LST), on the academic performance of destitute undergraduate students in Ethiopia from 2019 to 2023. Using a quantitative design, data were gathered from 418 students across four major universities. The study utilized independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and factorial ANOVA to analyze the impact of the monthly stipend and LST on the student’s GPA. The findings showed that both the monthly stipend from IGO’s Student Empowerment Initiative and the university’s Life Skills Training (LST) significantly increased academic performance, with the stipend having a much greater impact. Specifically, the students receiving stipends averaged an increase in GPA of 0.544 points, while those participating in LST saw an increase of 0.166 points. These interventions were found to have an additive effect, which means the IGO stipend had the same impact on the student’s GPA regardless of LST participation. It was also observed that LST participation had the same impact regardless of the IGO intervention. The impact of both interventions was persistent, even after controlling for other variables. The study underscores the importance of financial and academic support in higher education for destitute students. Its findings suggest expanding stipend programs, such as IGO’s Student Empowerment Initiative, and integrating LST into the universities' standard curriculum for all students. These findings and recommendations add valuable insights into creating policies and interventions aimed at reducing disparities and promoting more equitable opportunities in higher education.

Keywords: Academic Performance, Stipend, Life Skills Training (LST), GPA, Interventions, Destitute, Higher Education, Empowerment, Gender

DOI: 10.7176/IAGS/101-06

Publication date:July 31^st 2024