ENDLINE EVALUATION of Global Partnership for Education - Education Sector Plan Implementation Grant -Maximum Country Allocation (ESPIG-MCA) project implemented in Galmudug, Hirshabelle, South-west, Jubbaland, and Banadir, Somalia.

The Education Sector Plan Implementation Grant - Maximum Country Allocation (ESPIG-MCA) program, a strategic initiative aimed at advancing educational outcomes in Southern and Central States in Somalia implemented by Save the Children International (SCI) jointly with FGS/FMS MoECHE and Concern Worldwide. The overall grant objective is to increase access to quality education for out-of-school children; enhance the quality of primary education; and improve the capacity of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education (MOECHE) at the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Federal Member States (FMSs) to effectively lead and manage the education sector. The anticipated beneficiaries encompass a diverse spectrum, from children gaining access to Early Childhood Education (ECE) facilities and out-of-school children finding expanded access to primary education. Executed over a 42-months duration from June 1, 2020, to November 30, 2023, the project operates in key regions, including Galmudug, Hirshabelle, South-west, Jubaland, and Benadir. Save the Children International (SCI) commissioned Horn Population Research and Development (HPRD) to undertake an independent endline evaluation of this project performance to inform future programming. This evaluation was conducted in November 2023 across the four FMSs and Benadir region. A mixed methods participatory approach comprising multiple data collection were used. This comprised desk reviews, QLE assessments, interviews with program stakeholders including government officials and implementing staff, focus group discussions with beneficiaries including learners, teachers and community education committees as well as field observations and photography