Fund Dates

• Start Date: 1 July 2014
• End Date: 31 October 2017

JP Improving Access and Quality of Education for Girls in Malawi Reports

• Final Programme Narrative Report (2017)
  
• Financial Progress Report
• 2019 Sources and Uses of Funds

JP  Improving Access and Quality of Education for Girls in Malawi Key Documents

• Programme Document
• Memorandum of Understanding
• Standard Administrative Agreement

Overview

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have established a Joint Programme, using a ‘pass-through’ modality, entitled "Improving Access and Quality of Education for Girls in Malawi.” The overall aim of the programme is to improve access and quality of education for girls in three districts of Malawi; Salima, Mangochi and Dedza through an inter-sectorial approach, recognizing the myriad of issues that impact girl’s access to education and their ability to complete it.

In the short term, or the first year of the intervention, key expected results include:

1. Increased attendance for girls in the targeted schools;
2. Reduced dropout rates for girls in the targeted schools;
3. Increased percentage of dropouts who returned/readmitted to school or non-formal education

In addition to marked improvements in the short-term results, by the end of the intervention in 2017, impact-level results are also expected in four key areas:

1. Increased enrolment of girls in basic education in the targeted schools;
2. Improved pass rates for girls in the targeted schools;
3. Improved survival rates of girls completing grade eight without repeating or dropping out;
4. Resilient and empowered communities who sustain girls in school

Assistance Strategy

The programme is guided by technical expertise of three UN agencies (UNICEF, WFP and UNFPA) and is defined within the government structure and as such, it will help to implement the government sector implementation plan (2013 – 2016) with specific references to the Girls’ Education Strategy and the Primary School Improvement Plan (PSIP) which are key documents in the realization of quality education in Malawi. Advancing girls’ education is of a strategic importance for the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) II, and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF 2012-2016). These documents confirm government and UN commitments to ensuring that all boys and girls, in and out-of-school, are enrolled and retained to complete basic education by 2016.

The programme will be implemented in a phased approach starting with 34 schools in the first phase. It will make use of a whole school approach as well as targeting specifically girls from standard 5 to 8 in Salima, Mangochi and Dedza districts in all 79 schools in 5 targeted zones for a period of 3 years. Girls in standard 5 – 8 form the targeted group based on the fact that it is exactly within this period where girls in Malawi tend to drop out of school due to numerous socio-economic and cultural reasons.

The overarching objective will be achieved through pursuit of 7 primary and related outcomes:

1. Girls and boys in targeted schools are well nourished and able to stay in school
2. Increased access to second chance education for both in and out of school girls
3. Quality integrated youth friendly services, resources and structures, addressing CSE, SRHR, HIV/AIDS and GBV in place for both in and out of school girls
4. Reduction of violence against girls in targeted schools and communities and effective referral pathways in place
5. Teacher attitudes and skills are improved/enhanced to effectively deliver life skills based and gender responsive methodologies
6. Adolescent girls are informed and empowered to demand SRHR services, participate and take on leadership positions within the school and the community
7. Empowered and committed communities will value quality education for all children, especially girls

The framework being applied to this programme follows the ‘quality education’ framework which incorporates five critical dimensions (UNICEF 2000):

1.  Learners who are healthy and well nourished, ready to learn and supported by their families and communities; 
2.  School environment which is healthy, safe, protective and gender sensitive;
3.  Content reflected in relevant curricula and activities contributing equally to academic knowledge, services  and skills as well as on life skills subjects such as gender, protection, HIV/AIDS prevention and sexual and reproductive health rights;
4.  Teachers are using child-cantered teaching approaches/methodologies in a well-managed classroom; 
5.  Outcomes that encompass knowledge, skills and attitudes which are linked to national and universal goals for education as well as active participation in society.

Governance

The Joint Progamme on Improving Access and Quality of Education for Girls in Malawi is managed through a ‘pass through’ funding modality.  The programmatic and financial accountability rests with the Participating UN Organisations, which manage their respective components of the Joint Programme.

Steering Committee: A Steering Committee consisting of all UN Heads of Agency (UNICEF, WFP and UNFPA), a senior Representative from the Norwegian Embassy, the Principle Secretaries for Education, Agriculture and Gender. The Principle Secretary for Education shall Chair and Project Coordinator shall also serve as Secretariat to the Steering Committee.

Technical Working Group: A technical working group, headed by the Project Coordinator shall be convened and will be responsible for monitoring project progress, overseeing programme implementation, coordinating project activities, and assuring achievement of project outcomes. They will meet monthly in the first phase and bi-monthly in the second phase onwards. Decision making points from this group will be taking to the Steering Committee.

At sub-national level, this Project shall be overseen through existing leadership and coordination mechanisms. As such the District Commissioner with the support of the District Planning Officers in Mangochi and Salima respectively shall provide leadership over these projects. Implementation shall happen through the District Education Officers who shall convene participating sectors including WFP Field Monitors, District School Health and Nutrition Coordinators, District Social Welfare, civil society members and provide feedback to the District Executive Committee.

Administrative Agent

The Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) serves as the Administrative Agent (AA) of the Joint Programme. The AA is responsible for concluding Standard Administrative Arrangements (SAAs) with donors and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Participating UN Organisations.