Publications
Summary of publication
This is a mid-term review of the Education Development and Improvement Program, a three-year project managed by the Aga Khan Foundation (Pakistan) and implemented by seven partners in seven districts of Gilgit-Baltistan. The project aims to enhance access, equity and quality of education with increased gender parity by improving the safety, quality and accessibility of the physical learning environment, increasing enrolment and retention of children (particularly girls and disabled children), increasing community participation in school management, professional development of teachers and head teachers, improving educational leadership and mentoring skills of head teachers and educational managers, and strengthening governance and management in the Gilgit-Baltistan Department of Education. The project operates in a high risk environment, including major governance and management problems in the education system, severe flooding, sectarian violence causing curfews and suspending activities, and bureaucratic governmental delays.
The review finds that key lessons for similar future projects include avoiding too many project components and partners and have a realistic time frame for a complex and high risk project; in case of major delays, extending the project time frame early instead of putting pressure on all stakeholders to achieve targets; having decentralised coordination functions in place to support professional development initiatives; using local organisations with relevant experience and linkages to conduct community mobilisation and organisation. The report finds that excellent progress has been made in gender equality, particularly girls' enrolment and female teachers' training, and good results in terms of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and monitoring and evaluation.