Malawi YESA Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan

The plan is a component of the Government of Malawi's National Reading Program (NRP) and is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The NRP was implemented in 2018 to address the challenges of low reading performance in Malawi's primary education system. Despite efforts to improve instruction, teacher preparation, and community engagement, recent National Reading Assessments (NRAs) have shown that primary education continues to experience challenges. The plan aims to institutionalize a multi-level assessment system and capacity-building program that will train teachers, administrators, and policymakers to use regular assessment reading data to update instruction, support teachers, inform policy, and engender a culture of reading throughout Malawi. The Malawi YESA AMELP is designed to describe the expected results over the four-year life of the project and the process by which the project will report on those results. The plan includes a summary of the Activity and its integration into the USAID Mission's Result Framework, a description of YESA's own results framework, and a description of the overall approach to monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL). The MEL system will be managed by the MEL Specialist, who will oversee the development and implementation of the plan. The plan includes a detailed Performance Indicator Reference Sheets in Annex 1 and a Data Quality Assessment (DQA) checklist and recommended procedures in Annex 2. The plan aims to achieve several key outcomes, including: * Improved early grade reading and learner outcomes in Malawi * Institutionalization of a multi-level assessment system and capacity-building program * Training of teachers, administrators, and policymakers to use regular assessment reading data to update instruction, support teachers, inform policy, and engender a culture of reading throughout Malawi * Improved data quality and dissemination to key stakeholders The plan will be implemented over a four-year period, from February 22, 2018, to February 21, 2022. The plan includes a detailed timeline and milestones, as well as a budget of $15,390,272. The Malawi YESA AMELP is a critical component of the NRP and will play a key role in improving early grade reading and learner outcomes in Malawi. The plan's focus on institutionalizing a multi-level assessment system and capacity-building program will help to ensure that the gains made in reading performance are sustained over time. The plan's emphasis on data quality and dissemination will also help to ensure that key stakeholders have access to accurate and timely information, which will enable them to make informed decisions about education policy and practice. The plan's focus on building the capacity of teachers, administrators, and policymakers will also help to ensure that the education system is better equipped to support the needs of learners.