Draft Quarterly Progress Report FY 2020, Q3

(ACCELERE!) Activity 1 (A!1) is a 5-year project led by Chemonics International Inc. The project supports the Democratic Republic of the Congo government's commitment to free, universal basic education and improved equitable access to education. A!1 originally focused on working with public primary schools and écoles conventionnées run by religious networks, but following the Trafficking in Persons Sanctions (TIPS), the project refocused to working with private schools and private non-formal alternative/accelerated learning programs (ALPs). The project's results framework depicts three result areas: Intermediate Result (IR) 3.3, which supports local-level activities; IR 3.4, which strengthens effective resource allocation and execution in the education sector; and IR 3.5, which strengthens systems and capacity at the national, provincial, and school levels. However, due to new USAID restrictions, A!1 will not conduct activities under IR 3.1 and IR 3.2. The quarterly report for Q3 FY 2020 highlights the project's progress in achieving its annual targets. The report indicates that 221,622 learners were reached in reading programs at the primary level, representing 97% of the annual target. Additionally, 379,492 learners were enrolled in primary schools and/or equivalent non-school based settings with USG support, representing 53% of the annual target. The report also highlights the project's progress in professional development activities. A total of 1,749 educators completed professional development activities, representing 28% of the annual target. Furthermore, 1,938 education administrators and officials completed professional development activities, representing 130% of the annual target. The report also notes that 413 parent teacher associations (PTAs) or community governance structures were engaged in primary or secondary education, representing 100% of the annual target. In terms of reading instructional materials, the report indicates that 0 primary school classrooms received a complete set of essential reading instructional materials, representing 0% of the annual target. However, this indicator will be reported when impact data is available. The project's geographic coverage includes 6 provinces and 26 sub-provinces, with a focus on Kinshasa, Equateur, Kasaï Central, Haut Katanga, Nord Kivu, and Sud Kivu. The project's reporting period is from April 1 to June 30, 2020. The project's implementing partner is Chemonics International Inc., with subcontractors/sub-awardees including Family Health International (FHI 360), Cambridge Education, and School-to-School International (STS). The project's major counterpart organizations include the Association nationale des écoles privées agrées (ASSONEPA), the Direction de l’administration des écoles privées agréées (DAEP), and the Union des promoteurs des écoles privées agréées du Congo (UPEPAC). The project's results framework is depicted below, showing the three result areas and the indicators for each area. * Intermediate Result (IR) 3.3: Local-level activities * Intermediate Result (IR) 3.4: Effective resource allocation and execution in the education sector strengthened * Intermediate Result (IR) 3.5: Strengthened systems and capacity at the national, provincial, and school levels The project's quarterly report highlights the progress made in achieving the annual targets, with a focus on reading programs, professional development activities, and parent teacher associations. The report also notes the challenges faced by the project, including the lack of impact data for some indicators.