Behavioral Interventions in Education: A Cluster Randomized Trial of SMS Nudges in Low Income Regions of Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61978/psychosocia.v3i4.813Keywords:
School Dropout, Behavioral Nudges, SMS Intervention, Parental Engagement, Education Policy, Indonesia, Cluster Randomized TrialAbstract
This study investigates the effectiveness of SMS-based behavioral nudges in reducing school dropout rates in disadvantaged regions of Indonesia. The research addresses persistent educational disparities that remain despite financial aid programs such as BOS and PIP. Inspired by behavioral insights and global practices, the intervention focused on motivational and loss-aversion messages delivered via SMS to parents and students. A cluster randomized trial was implemented in low-income communities in Papua and Sulawesi. The trial compared control and treatment groups by measuring attendance, retention, and parental engagement, with baseline and follow-up data used to capture behavioral changes. Results showed significant improvements in attendance and a modest reduction in dropout rates among the treatment group. Motivational nudges produced stronger effects than neutral reminders, and impacts were amplified when combined with financial aid programs. Supportive parental attitudes also contributed to sustained engagement. The study concludes that SMS-based nudges are a cost-effective and scalable tool to complement existing education policies. Ethical implementation requires attention to consent, privacy, and cultural sensitivity. Future research should focus on long-term behavioral impacts and integration with national education platforms.
References
Arlinkasari, F., Akmal, S. Z., & Rauf, N. W. (2017). Should Students Engaged to Their Study? (Academic Burnout and School-Engagement Among Students). Guidena Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan Psikologi Bimbingan Dan Konseling, 7(1), 29. https://doi.org/10.24127/gdn.v7i1.727 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24127/gdn.v7i1.727
Bowes, L., Aryani, F., Ohan, F., Haryanti, R. H., Winarna, S., Arsianto, Y., Budiyawati, H., Widowati, E., Saraswati, R., Kristianto, Y., Suryani, Y. E., Ulum, D. F., & Minnick, E. (2019). The Development and Pilot Testing of an Adolescent Bullying Intervention in Indonesia – The ROOTS Indonesia Program. Global Health Action, 12(1), 1656905. https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2019.1656905 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2019.1656905
Cadri, A., Aboagye, R. G., Frimpong, J. B., Yeboah, P. A., Seidu, A., & Ahinkorah, B. O. (2023). Partner Alcohol Consumption and Intimate Partner Violence Among Women in Papua New Guinea: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Demographic and Health Survey. BMJ Open, 13(3), e066486. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066486 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066486
Daymond, A., Prawoto, A., Abdoellah, S., Susilo, A. W., Cryer, N. C., Lahive, F., & Hadley, P. (2020). Variation in Indonesian Cocoa Farm Productivity in Relation to Management, Environmental and Edaphic Factors. Experimental Agriculture, 56(5), 738–751. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0014479720000289 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0014479720000289
Edo, M., Marchionni, M., & Garganta, S. (2017). Compulsory Education Laws or Incentives From CCT Programs? Explaining the Rise in Secondary School Attendance Rate in Argentina. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 25, 76. https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.25.2596 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.25.2596
Fang, Y., & He, W. (2022). Practical Considerations in Utilizing Cluster Randomized Controlled Trials Conducted in Biopharmaceutical Industry. Clinical Trials, 19(4), 416–421. https://doi.org/10.1177/17407745211073484 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/17407745211073484
Fauzi, A. S., Runtiningsih, S., & Hidayat, F. (2022). Determinants of Poverty in Indonesia and Its Policy Implications, Multidimensional Approach to Measuring Poverty. Jovishe, 1(1), 12–24. https://doi.org/10.57255/jovishe.v1i1.70 DOI: https://doi.org/10.57255/jovishe.v1i1.70
Ferdian, F., Hadna, A. H., Pitoyo, A. J., & Susilastuti, D. H. (2023). Role of Sociocultural Factors in Tni Ad Non-Commissioned Officers’ Motivations, Goals and Pro-Organizational Behavior. Proceeding of the International Seminar on Business Economics Social Science and Technology (Isbest), 2. https://doi.org/10.33830/isbest.v2i1.786 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33830/isbest.v2i1.786
Goesling, B. (2019). A Practical Guide to Cluster Randomized Trials in School Health Research. Journal of School Health, 89(11), 916–925. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12826 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12826
Halid, I. S. (2022). Covid-19 Pandemic and School Dropout Rates: Empirical Evidence From Indonesia. Journal of Economics Research and Social Sciences, 6(2), 149–155. https://doi.org/10.18196/jerss.v6i2.15316 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18196/jerss.v6i2.15316
Heradstveit, O., Hysing, M., Bøe, T., Nilsen, S. A., Sivertsen, B., Bretteville‐Jensen, A. L., & Askeland, K. G. (2023). Prospective Associations Between Adolescent Risky Substance Use and School Dropout and the Role of Externalising and Internalising Problems. Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 41(1), 24–38. https://doi.org/10.1177/14550725231188568 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/14550725231188568
Hutagaol, N., & Suharjito, S. (2019). Predictive Modelling of Student Dropout Using Ensemble Classifier Method in Higher Education. Advances in Science Technology and Engineering Systems Journal, 4(4), 206–211. https://doi.org/10.25046/aj040425 DOI: https://doi.org/10.25046/aj040425
Jia, Y., Konold, T. R., & Cornell, D. G. (2016). Authoritative School Climate and High School Dropout Rates. School Psychology Quarterly, 31(2), 289–303. https://doi.org/10.1037/spq0000139 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/spq0000139
Kelly‐Hanku, A., Newland, J., Aggleton, P., Ase, S., Aeno, H., Fiya, V., Vallely, L. M., Toliman, P. J., Mola, G., Kaldor, J., & Vallely, A. (2019). HPV Vaccination in Papua New Guinea to Prevent Cervical Cancer in Women: Gender, Sexual Morality, Outsiders and the De-Feminization of the HPV Vaccine. Papillomavirus Research, 8, 100171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pvr.2019.100171 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pvr.2019.100171
Khairina, N., & Putra, M. A. T. (2023). The Association Between Early Marriage Decisions and Poverty Incidents in Indonesia. Ekuilibrium Jurnal Ilmiah Bidang Ilmu Ekonomi, 18(2), 227–236. https://doi.org/10.24269/ekuilibrium.v18i2.2023.pp227-236 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24269/ekuilibrium.v18i2.2023.pp227-236
Kharisma, B. (2018). Can a School Operational Assistance Fund Program (BOS) Reduce School Drop-Outs During the Post-Rising Fuel Prices in Indonesia? Evidence From Indonesia. Jurnal Ekonomi Pembangunan Kajian Masalah Ekonomi Dan Pembangunan, 19(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.23917/jep.v18i2.4942 DOI: https://doi.org/10.23917/jep.v18i2.4942
Laksono, A. D., Wulandari, R. D., Rohmah, N., Rukmini, R., & Tumaji, T. (2023). Regional Disparities in Hospital Utilisation in Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Data From the 2018 Indonesian Basic Health Survey. BMJ Open, 13(1), e064532. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064532 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064532
Marlina, E., & Lawita, N. F. (2024). Information Technology and Higher Education Institutions (HEI) Performance: The Mediating Role of Organizational Capability. Journal of Accounting and Investment, 25(1), 137–151. https://doi.org/10.18196/jai.v25i1.20591 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18196/jai.v25i1.20591
Meurer, W. J., & Lewis, R. (2015). Cluster Randomized Trials. Jama, 313(20), 2068. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.5199 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.5199
Ndobe, S., Gani, A., Bakri, A. A., Adriyani, D. T., Wuniarto, E., Khartiono, L. D., Herjayanto, Muh., Hasan, V., & Moore, A. M. (2022). First and Recurrent Records of Stiphodon Surrufus Watson &Amp;amp; Kottelat, 1995 (Gobiiformes, Gobiidae, Sicydiinae), a Naturally Rare Amphidromous Goby, in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Check List, 18(2), 253–260. https://doi.org/10.15560/18.2.253
Page, L. C., Lenard, M., & Keele, L. (2020). The Design of Clustered Observational Studies in Education. Aera Open, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/2332858420954401 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2332858420954401
Permatasari, D., & Artha, B. (2023). Exploring the Influence of Teacher Qualifications, Classroom Size, Student Age, and Parental Involvement on High School Drop Out Rates in Sukabumi Regency. Jurnal Pendidikan West Science, 1(03), 205–215. https://doi.org/10.58812/jpdws.v1i03.257 DOI: https://doi.org/10.58812/jpdws.v1i03.257
Rahman, Md. A. (2021). Factors Leading to Secondary School Dropout in Bangladesh: The Challenges to Meet the Sdg’s Targets. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh Science, 47(2), 173–190. https://doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v47i2.57280 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v47i2.57280
Ramsdal, G. H., Bergvik, S., & Wynn, R. (2015). Parent–child Attachment, Academic Performance and the Process of High-School Dropout: A Narrative Review. Attachment & Human Development, 17(5), 522–545. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616734.2015.1072224 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14616734.2015.1072224
Setiawan, E., Felix, H., & Setiadi, A. P. (2017). Analysis of the Utilization and Cost of Antibiotics at an Intensive Care Unit in Surabaya. Pharmaciana, 7(2), 217. https://doi.org/10.12928/pharmaciana.v7i2.6767 DOI: https://doi.org/10.12928/pharmaciana.v7i2.6767
Setyadharma, A. (2018). Government’s Cash Transfers and School Dropout in Rural Areas. Jejak, 11(2), 447–461. https://doi.org/10.15294/jejak.v11i2.16125 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15294/jejak.v11i2.16125
Sihombing, P. R. (2019). Does the Gap Between East and West Still Exist? A Study of Indonesia’s Disparities. Udayana Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (Ujossh), 3(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.24843/ujossh.2019.v03.i01.p01 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24843/UJoSSH.2019.v03.i01.p01
Steuwe, C., Berg, M., Drießen, M., & Beblo, T. (2023). Therapeutic Alliance and Dropout in Patients With Borderline Pathology Receiving Residential Dialectical Behavior Therapy. BMC Psychiatry, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-05061-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-05061-8
Syam, A. F., Miftahussurur, M., Makmun, D., Nusi, I. A., Zain, L. H., Zulkhairi, Akil, F., Uswan, W. B., Simanjuntak, D., Uchida, T., Adi, P., Utari, A. P., Rezkitha, Y. A. A., Subsomwong, P., Nasronudin, N., Suzuki, R., & Yamaoka, Y. (2015). Risk Factors and Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori in Five Largest Islands of Indonesia: A Preliminary Study. Plos One, 10(11), e0140186. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0140186 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0140186
Tahir, R., & Sangkala, S. (2023). Boat Class Program to Reduce School Dropouts in the Spermonde Region of Indonesia. Hong Kong Journal of Social Sciences, 62. https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.62.62 DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.62.62
Taljaard, M., Goldstein, C. E., Giraudeau, B., Nicholls, S. G., Carroll, K., Hey, S. P., Brehaut, J., Jairath, V., London, A. J., Eldridge, S., Grimshaw, J., Fergusson, D., & Weijer, C. (2020). Cluster Over Individual Randomization: Are Study Design Choices Appropriately Justified? Review of a Random Sample of Trials. Clinical Trials, 17(3), 253–263. https://doi.org/10.1177/1740774519896799 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1740774519896799
Thi, A. M., Zimmerman, C., & Ranganathan, M. (2023). Hazardous Child Labour, Psychosocial Functioning, and School Dropouts Among Children in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of UNICEF’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS). Children, 10(6), 1021. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10061021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/children10061021
Wardani, D. W. S. R., Pramesona, B. A., Septiana, T., & Soemarwoto, R. A. (2023). Risk Factors for Delayed Sputum Conversion: A Qualitative Case Study From the Person-in-Charge of TB Program’s Perspectives. Journal of Public Health Research, 12(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/22799036231208355 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/22799036231208355
Wood, L., Kiperman, S., Esch, R. C., Leroux, A. J., & Truscott, S. D. (2017). Predicting Dropout Using Student- And School-Level Factors: An Ecological Perspective. School Psychology Quarterly, 32(1), 35–49. https://doi.org/10.1037/spq0000152 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/spq0000152
