Improving Access to Quality Education in Yemen (IAQY) FY 2018 Year 1 Q2 Report

The project aims to improve access to safe, functional education for out-of-school children (OOSC) in Sana'a, Hodeidah, and Al Dhale'e governorates of Yemen. During the second quarter of FY 2018, the IRC continued with the verification and inception phase of the project. The organization conducted exploratory visits to Al Dhale'e districts, including Qa'atabah, Al Shu'ayb, and Al Azareqand Jahaf, to identify schools for support and collect data on OOSC. The IRC also initiated a data verification process to collect more reliable data on OOSC in Al Dhale'e. The IRC finalized the recruitment of nine out of eleven positions, with staff members onboard including a Teacher Training Senior Manager, Teacher Training Manager, and Community Engagement Officer. The organization is also discussing the establishment of an IAQY Steering Committee with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and continues to collaborate with Save the Children in implementing the USAID School Doors program. The project's goal is to have OOSC (ages 6-14) in Sana'a, Hodeidah, and Al Dhale'e governorates gain access to safe, functional education. The indicator tracker shows that the IRC is still in the inception phase, and the below indicators will become functional once activities commence. The target for OOSC enrolled in primary schools is 2,880, with 50% boys and 50% girls. The target for OOSC enrolled in community-based learning spaces is 8,800, with 50% boys and 50% girls. The project's results and outputs are focused on expanding access to safe, quality education, training and supporting teachers, and facilitating access and learning. The IRC aims to establish Father and Mother Councils (FMCs), community scorecards, and joint service improvement plans. The organization also plans to recruit community-based learning space teachers, pay teacher stipends, distribute teacher and student kits, and conduct back-to-school campaigns. The IRC has made significant progress in recruiting staff members and initiating data verification processes. However, the project is still in the inception phase, and activities have not yet commenced. The organization is working to establish partnerships with stakeholders, including the MOE, and is discussing the establishment of an IAQY Steering Committee. The project's goal is to improve access to safe, functional education for OOSC in Yemen, and the IRC is committed to achieving this goal through its implementation of the IAQY project. The IRC's collaboration with Save the Children in implementing the USAID School Doors program is also an important aspect of the project. This partnership aims to improve access to education for OOSC in Yemen and provide them with safe, functional learning environments. The IRC's work with the MOE and other stakeholders is also crucial in ensuring the project's success and achieving its goals. The project's focus on training and supporting teachers is also essential in improving the quality of education in Yemen. The IRC's plans to establish FMCs, community scorecards, and joint service improvement plans will help to ensure that teachers are equipped with the necessary skills and resources to provide high-quality education to OOSC. The organization's commitment to facilitating access and learning is also critical in ensuring that OOSC have access to safe, functional education. Overall, the IAQY project is a critical initiative aimed at improving access to safe, functional education for OOSC in Yemen. The IRC's progress in recruiting staff members and initiating data verification processes is a positive step towards achieving the project's goals. However, the project is still in the inception phase, and activities have not yet commenced. The organization's commitment to establishing partnerships with stakeholders, including the MOE, and its focus on training and supporting teachers are essential in ensuring the project's success and achieving its goals.