Beneficiaries’ knowledge and perception of girls’ education programme strategies in Bauchi State, Nigeria / John Onche Idu, Matthew Funsho Bello and Deborah Gaius Alaji

The study investigated the extent to which the knowledge and perceptions of programme beneficiaries impacted and/or constrained the girls’ education programme strategies of the Bauchi state government and UNICEF from improving girls’ education in the state. Using project communication as an approach, it was argued that lack of project communication through awareness creation and enlightenment using traditional and religious institutions is a constraint to project success. A mixed method research design comprising both qualitative and quantitative approach to data gathering was developed and utilized to obtain a sample size of 180 respondents out of a total population of 283 using Qualtrics quantitative sample size calculator based on purposive sampling technique. Data obtained were analysed thematically and hypothesis tested using multiple regression with the aid of the SPSS statistical software (version 20) at 0.05 level of significance. The null hypothesis was rejected and the alternate upheld. Findings from the study showd that programme beneficiaries’ knowledge and perception significantly constrained the girls’ education programme strategies of the Bauchi state government from improving girl child education while it enhanced that of UNICEF. In conclusion it was recommended that, the state government should utilize traditional and religious institutions to enlighten and create awareness about the benefits of the girls’ education programmes been implemented.