From Inequality to Sustainability: A Social Return on Investment Analysis of the Certificate Program for Practical Nursing by the Equitable Education Fund
Keywords:
social return on investment, practical nursing, equitable education fund, sustainable developmentAbstract
This article aimed to analyze the social return on investment (SROI) of the Certificate Program for Practical Nursing provided by the Equitable Education Fund (EEF), which provides educational opportunities for underprivileged and disadvantaged youth through a one-year short-term training program with a 100% employment outcome after graduation. The findings indicate that investment in education generates multidimensional social returns for scholarship recipients, their families, healthcare institutions, and society. Scholarship recipients earned an average monthly income of 13,000–25,000 Thai Baht, enabling them to support their families financially, improve their housing, purchase vehicles, and accumulate savings. Families experienced improved quality of life and reduced intergenerational poverty. Healthcare facilities benefited from the recruitment of personnel with positive attitudes, strong service mindsets, and a willingness to contribute, helping to alleviate the shortage of professional nurses and reduce workload burdens. This highlights that investing in education to address inequality is a cost effective approach that fosters sustainable development.
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