Executive Summary Deliverable Final
0 likes45 views
The document discusses a partnership evaluation between Dignitas and low-cost private schools in Nairobi, Kenya. Following Kenya making primary education free, many children enrolled in these private schools. Dignitas was created to help address problems faced by these schools through leadership training. The evaluation team was tasked with identifying best gradual release practices from the partnership based on indicators rather than time, and recommendations for post-partnership growth. The team traveled to Nairobi to interview stakeholders. They designed deliverables including a policy brief on best practices, indicators for readiness after the partnership, and post-partnership growth recommendations. Key findings were a misunderstanding around the partnership progression, lack of clear communication on the end, and schools seeking
Executive Summary Deliverable Final
- 1. Partner Evaluation Executive Summary Dignitas – American University Following the Education for All Goals, Kenya made primary education "free for all" in 2003. Public schools did not have the capacity to provide quality education to the increased number of students enrolling in schools due to this new policy. As a result, parents have begun enrolling their children in private low-cost schools many of which are located in the outskirts of Nairobi. Dignitas was created in 2007 to help address the problems faced by low-cost private schools through leadership training. The original partnership agreement was projected to have three phases each taking one year. However, Dignitas realized the need to have a gradual release strategy in place that would focus on indicators instead of time restrictions and that promotes continued growth after the conclusion of the partnership. Dignitas has charged the Partner Evaluation team with the task of identifying current gradual release models in NGO partnerships, identifying key indicators for post-partnership readiness, and activity recommendations for post-partnership growth. All of these tasks are guided by the question: Which gradual release practices best fit the Dignitas partnership context and addresses the needs of low-cost private schools in Nairobi, Kenya? June 2015 Methodology: The research team traveled to Nairobi, Kenya from June 2st – 10th , 2015. Qualitative data was collected through various individual and group interviews, focus groups, and informal conversations. Participants included: Dignitas staff and Partner School stakeholders. Original data collected was synthesized with existing academic literature and alternative models for gradual release from other NGOs. Students playing in the playground at MCO Primary Deliverables: Based on the findings the team designed the following deliverables ü A policy brief of best practices for gradual release ü Indicators that denote readiness for the release into the proposed “schools do together” ü Recommendations for post- partnership growth phase.Findings - Misunderstanding related to partnership progression: Schools see partnership as a never-ending journey while Dignitas sees it as having a concrete end. According to the literature review, the ideal gradual release model is cyclical one in which the partnership does not end but its progression means that the lead is taken by the schools rather than by the NGO. The team proposes a “Schools Do It Together” phase in which Dignitas is a platform for increasing school alumni relationships. - Lack of clarity of communication related to end of partnership: Schools do not have a clear understanding of the gradual progression agreement while Dignitas states that they communicate the end of partnership constantly and clearly. Gradual release theory highlights the importance of clear communication of roles, responsibilities, and expectations to avoid misunderstandings and future dependency. The team suggests best practices to communicate the end of partnership in a clear way to the schools. - Schools seek sustainability after partnership completion. Schools state they are currently dependent on Dignitas but that they will be successful after the partnership if Dignitas coaches them through development of teacher leadership. Additionally, schools that were phased out without gradual release experienced regression on indicators. The literature suggests that gradual release is vital to the sustainability of the lessons learnt after the partnership is over. The team therefore proposes indicators that promote strategic gradual release of partnership that ensure sustainability.