Accelerated Quality Education for Liberian Children | FY2019 Quarter 2 Report

The program, implemented by Education Development Center (EDC), focuses on accelerating learning for out-of-school children and improving the quality of education in existing schools. The program's implementation is guided by a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) plan, which was revised in the second quarter of 2019 to incorporate new activities and indicators. The MEL plan is designed to track progress towards the program's goals and objectives, including increasing the eligibility of Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) learners to transition to formal education. During the second quarter of 2019, the program made significant progress in institutionalizing the ALP regulatory framework. The Ministry of Education (MoE) adopted national ALP policies, and county education officers began using ALP monitoring data to improve their decision-making. District officers also accredited ALP centers, and district education officers certified ALP level completion. Additionally, schools' principals supervised ALP instruction, and communities developed strong relationships with education authorities. The program also made progress in increasing the eligibility of ALP learners to transition to formal education. ALP sites were selected, and centers were readied for use. Safety improvements were made to ALP centers, and sufficient materials were produced for ALP instruction. Teachers administered ALP leveled exams, and community members identified out-of-school children. The program's Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team continued to support the implementation of the program, conducting technical working group sessions and providing training to teachers, principals, and education officers. The MEL team also supported the development of a plan for community engagement to reduce school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV). The program's curriculum revision continued, with updates to the Life Skills and science curricula to integrate SRGBV messaging and content. Multiple trainings were conducted, including teacher cluster trainings, a residential teacher training, PTA trainings, and an education officer training. The program also implemented Saturday classes to mitigate the impact of the MOE expanding the hours of conventional schools, which decreased the hours available for ALP schooling. The program's progress was marked by significant staff transition, including the departure of the long-standing Chief of Party, Ms. Denise Clarke-Reeves. The program continued to recruit new staff, including a permanent Chief of Party and local Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning personnel. Despite these challenges, the program made significant progress towards its goals and objectives, and the MEL team will continue to support the implementation of the program in the coming quarters.