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 plan is designed to refine the early grade reading assessment system in Malawi and build the capacity of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), schools, and communities to improve early grade reading and learner outcomes. The plan is based on the understanding that school enrollment in Malawi has increased dramatically since the removal of school fees in 1994, but the quality and volume of educational resources have not kept pace. Recent assessments have shown dramatic underperformance by students, and the Government of Malawi has implemented the NRP to strengthen existing assessment mechanisms at the school and community level. The YESA Activity will partner with the Government of Malawi to refine the early grade reading assessment system and build the capacity of MoEST, schools, and communities to improve early grade reading and learner outcomes. 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 Team, which will be responsible for data collection, data quality assurance, and performance indicator tracking. The plan also includes a description of the process for data quality assessments and evaluations, as well as detailed Performance Indicator Reference Sheets in Annex 1. The plan is based on the understanding that improving early grade reading and learner outcomes requires a systemic approach that involves institutionalizing a multi-level assessment system and capacity-building program. The plan aims to train teachers, administrators, and policy makers how to use regular assessment reading data to update instruction, support teachers, inform policy, and engender a culture of reading throughout Malawi. The plan also aims to unlock the innate interest parents have in their children's education, which will sustain the demand for quality education and consequent demand for accountability at all levels. The Malawi YESA AMELP is a critical component of the NRP, and its success will depend on the effective implementation of the plan and the commitment of all stakeholders to improving early grade reading and learner outcomes in Malawi. The plan provides a framework for monitoring, evaluation, and learning that will enable the YESA Activity to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and make adjustments as needed to achieve the desired results. The plan is organized into several key components, including the overall approach to MEL, the management of the MEL system, and the process for data quality assessments and evaluations. The plan also includes detailed Performance Indicator Reference Sheets in Annex 1, which provide a comprehensive overview of the performance indicators that will be used to track progress and evaluate the effectiveness of the YESA Activity. The Malawi YESA AMELP is a critical tool for improving early grade reading and learner outcomes in Malawi, and its implementation will require the commitment and collaboration of all stakeholders. The plan provides a framework for monitoring, evaluation, and learning that will enable the YESA Activity to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and make adjustments as needed to achieve the desired results.