Operational Research Plan on Safer Learning Environments (SLE) for FY 19

The overall goal of the AQE Activity is for overaged learners, 8-15 years, to access and complete quality lower basic education and transition to the formal education system if age appropriate, and/or to other alternative programs. Improving learner safety in the school environment is the overarching goal of AQE's comprehensive approach to School Related Gender Based Violence (SRGBV). This will be achieved by reducing major risks through increasing vigilance of parents and communities, learners, teachers, principals, and education officers, and improved reporting practices and structures. Operational research complements monitoring and evaluation, which is based on routine sources of data, by formulating specific questions and undertaking periodic data collection to gather the information needed to address them. Operational research uses this data to inform decision-making to strengthen policies, enhance programmatic impact, and make better use of resources. Operational research is required when either the reason for the problem or the solution to the problem, which the activity intends to address, is not self-evident. Evidence shows that children's potential for academic achievement and social and emotional development are maximized when the school environment is positive, safe, and nurturing with effective instruction; when teachers and children have a voice in school affairs; and when there are effective avenues for communicating about, responding to, and preventing violence. Conversely, if a learning environment is not safe, then learners will either not come, or will not remain at school. Learning outcomes suffer among students who are bullied or when they or their teachers perceive an unsafe learning environment. This is especially true for previously out-of-school or overage learners, who need every incentive and support to continue pursuing their education. In the Liberia context, risks to safer learning are well-documented, in particular issues around three forms of SRGBV: bullying, corporal punishment, and sexual violence. There is also some literature on risks to learner safety as it relates to health-related risks in schools in Liberia and environmental hazards. These risks are summarized in Table 1 below. Table 1: Risks to Safer Learning in / around Liberian Schools; Evidence The AQE Activity aims to address these risks through a comprehensive approach that includes increasing vigilance of parents and communities, learners, teachers, principals, and education officers, and improved reporting practices and structures. The activity also seeks to learn more about how and to what extent Safe Learning Environments (SLE) impacts retention, access, and learning, and what types of interventions are effective in overcoming risks to SLE. This will help adjust the activity to be more effective in achieving its goals. The operational research plan for FY 19 focuses on identifying the program problem, testing possible reasons and solutions, and implementing solutions that AQE is implementing and their rationales. The research questions are broad and specific, and the methods and sampling plan are outlined in detail. The analysis plan and ethical considerations are also discussed. The plan includes annexes that provide additional information on illustrative outcomes, indicators, data sources, and tools for the midline survey. The operational research plan for FY 19 aims to address the risks to safer learning in Liberian schools, including bullying, corporal punishment, and sexual violence. The plan includes a comprehensive approach that includes increasing vigilance of parents and communities, learners, teachers, principals, and education officers, and improved reporting practices and structures. The activity also seeks to learn more about how and to what extent Safe Learning Environments (SLE) impacts retention, access, and learning, and what types of interventions are effective in overcoming risks to SLE. The research questions are broad and specific, and the methods and sampling plan are outlined in detail. The analysis plan and ethical considerations are also discussed. The plan includes annexes that provide additional information on illustrative outcomes, indicators, data sources, and tools for the midline survey. The AQE Activity aims to address the risks to safer learning in Liberian schools and improve learner safety in the school environment. The operational research plan for FY 19 includes a comprehensive approach to addressing the risks to safer learning in Liberian schools. The plan includes increasing vigilance of parents and communities, learners, teachers, principals, and education officers, and improved reporting practices and structures. The activity also seeks to learn more about how and to what extent Safe Learning En