Quarterly Progress Report FY2018, Quarter 3 (April 1 to June 30, 2018)

Activity 1, a USAID-funded initiative, aims to increase equitable enrollments to a quality education environment in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The program, implemented by Chemonics International Inc., focuses on improving access to education, education quality, and governance and accountability by stakeholders. The activity is part of the USAID Education Office's efforts to support the development of a more equitable and inclusive education system in the country. The program's implementation progress is reported in the quarterly progress report for FY2018, Quarter 3 (April 1 to June 30, 2018). The report highlights key achievements and challenges in the second quarter of FY18, as well as progress made in the third quarter. The activity's implementation status is summarized in the report, which also provides an overview of the work plan, communications, national level meetings, and provincial- and subdivision-level quarterly meetings. The report highlights several key achievements and challenges in the second quarter of FY18. In terms of Result 1, Equitable Enrollments to a Quality Education Environment Increased, the program reported progress in reducing barriers to access for primary education, increasing access to alternative/accelerated learning programs, strengthening community and school collaboration and partnerships, and improving the quality of education environments. The program also reported progress in the Grants Program, including the development and implementation of grants for increased access and retention, improved governance, and capacity building of target grant beneficiaries. In the third quarter of FY18, the program reported progress in Result 2, Improved Education Quality, including improved quality of instruction at the primary level, effective use of teaching and learning materials in the classroom, and increased community participation to support school-based and extracurricular learning. The program also reported progress in Result 3, Improved Governance and Accountability by Stakeholders, including the development and implementation of policies for improved access and learning, strengthened school leadership and management, and increased community and civil society oversight and accountability at local and provincial levels. The report also highlights the program's efforts to integrate cross-cutting issues and USAID Forward priorities, including gender equality and female empowerment, sustainability mechanisms, environmental compliance, global climate change, policy and governance support, local capacity development, training for grantees and local implementing partners, organizational assessments, local committees of MEPSP, public-private partnership and global development alliance impacts, and science, technology, and innovation impact. In addition, the report highlights the program's efforts to engage stakeholders and promote participation and involvement, as well as its operations, management, and administration, including key achievements and challenges in the third quarter of FY18. The report also provides information on material in customs, finalization of the workplan database, compliance department reorganization, scale down of Bukavu and Kolwezi offices, and performance reviews.