Publication
Summary of Publication
The Education Pathways to Peace in Mindanao program (AUD90 million, 2017 -2026) is Australia’s education investment supporting the delivery of quality early grades education in the Philippines, with focus on contributing to peacebuilding in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
This independent midterm review assessed the effectiveness, efficiency, and relevance of the Pathways program and considered implementation in the past five years (2017 – 2022). The review found that Pathways is highly valued and remains relevant to the education priorities of the Philippine government for the BARMM. However, gains in education outcomes and institutional strengthening since the inception of the program in 2017 are likely to have been stalled due to COVID-19 and the socio-political contextual changes in the BARMM, contributing to constraints for the program to achieve intended outcomes.
The review identified lessons learned and recommendations to help enhance the overall performance and program coherence for the remaining three years.
- Education Pathways to Peace in Mindanao Mid Term Review [DOCX 2.9 MB]
- Education Pathways to Peace in Mindanao Mid Term Review [PDF 1.1 MB]
DFAT Management Response
DFAT agrees to continue the Pathways program until 2026 and will prioritise expanding access to early grades education (Kindergarten to Grade 3) in disadvantaged communities, strengthening gender equality and disability inclusion, and improving education data management. The midterm review recommendations relate to longer term approaches to the delivery and governance of the program. While some recommendations are already being addressed, most of the recommendations will require the strategic recalibration of the Pathways program management.
DFAT will work with Palladium and the Pathways management to ensure the program’s final three years will advance the sustainability of Australia’s education support to the BARMM.