Accelerating access initiative 2.0 rapid evaluation

The evaluation was designed to support USAID, donor partners, and the Ministry of Education (MOE) to better understand the results achieved, and lessons learned on implementation of the initiative. Findings from this evaluation will guide adaptive management of existing interventions and inform future strategy for AAI 2.0. This rapid evaluation was accomplished by conducting a desk review, key informant interviews (KIIs) and case studies with 155 relevant stakeholders engaged in AAI 2.0. The evaluation found that AAI 2.0 interventions for access and equity were mostly implemented as planned and outcomes and outputs were mostly achieved. AAI 2.0 interventions for quality education were not implemented as planned and largely cut from the workplan, and it was difficult to evaluate AAI 2.0 contributions and achievements. AAI 2.0 interventions for system strengthening were largely not implemented as planned and were marginally achieved, but other system strengthening aspects were advanced under AAI 2.0. While the MOE supported AAI 2.0 through staff time and positions, implementation challenges such as the onset of COVID 19, government and donor bureaucracy, and insufficient human and financial resources reduced the overall work plan for AAI 2.0. This adjustment to the work plan directly contributed to a lack of progress on some results, especially for quality and system strengthening. Most of the AAI 2.0 interventions are donor dependent, and without sustained support may stall progress.