Program Overview

Roshan Rastay – which is Urdu for “bright paths” – is a three-year long program that is being implemented in four districts in Pakistan (Thatta, Karachi, Sujawal, and Islamabad), aimed at addressing the country’s major education challenges by providing access to education for out-of-school children and bringing about meaningful change in quality of learning for all children, by building the capacities of the relevant stakeholders on creating a positive learning environment and the use of child-centered, play-based pedagogies.

Through working in formal primary schools, non-formal education centers, and charity schools, Right to Play is engaging the children in regular play-based learning activities, in a safe and child-friendly learning environment, to support them to develop important life skills, helping them to become agents of change in their communities and lead a self-determined life.

The outcome study will examine the implementation and effectiveness of the Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP) and use of play-based learning as a pedagogy within the Non-Formal Education (NFE) centers established in the urban slums of Karachi. It will delve into various facets of the ALP, including the adequacy of the curriculum and learning materials developed by the Directorate of Literacy and Non-Formal Education Government of Sindh, the teaching methodologies employed by educators, the engagement and participation levels of the enrolled children, and the overall impact of the program on their educational outcomes. Through qualitative research methods the study aims to provide valuable insights into the strengths, challenges, and opportunities for improvement within the program, ultimately informing future interventions and policy decisions aimed at enhancing access to quality education for out-of-school children.

Purpose of consultancy

For this purpose, Right To Play is currently seeking the services of an individual or a consultancy firm to design and implement a qualitative outcome study focusing on the intervention in the Non-Formal Education (NFE) centers. The research partner will be expected to generate strong evidence and learning, to help inform program decision-making and organizational learning.

An extensive evaluation strategy is suggested, providing researchers with flexibility, and ensuring strong results through qualitative approach. Largely the researchers should be able,

•     To develop a robust research design and methodologies,
•     To create data collection tools,
•     To produce comprehensive reports and assist in the dissemination of findings for informed decision-making and transparency,
•     To provide actionable recommendations based on the study findings to improve programs or initiatives,
•     To produce evidence which facilitates discussion and learning regarding program best practices among project participants, community members,         Right To Play staff, partners, and institutional stakeholders; and
•     To produce evidence which informs organizational strategic learning and improves capacity to carry out quality program design, implementation,           and monitoring for future projects.

Key objectives for the study:

• Assessment of program effectiveness: Evaluate the extent to which the Roshan Rastay project, particularly the Non-Formal Education (NFE) component, is achieving its intended outcomes and impacting the target beneficiaries.
•  Identification of best practices: Identify and document best practices within the NFE centres that contribute to positive outcomes for out-of-school children in urban slums.
•  Recommendation for improvement: Provide actionable recommendations to Right To Play (RTP) and its partners for enhancing the quality and effectiveness of the NFE component and informing future programming decisions.

Key Research/Evaluation Questions:

• To what extent are children developing social-emotional learning skills through participation in the NFEs?
• To what extent are children experiencing improved literacy and numeracy skills through participation in the program?
• What are the perspectives of children enrolled in NFE centres regarding the Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP) and the overall NFE experience? How do children perceive the impact of NFE on their lives and future prospects?
• Are children likely to enroll in formal education at the conclusion of the ALP? If not, what are the barriers or challenges they face?
• What strategies could be implemented to facilitate a smoother transition of children from NFE to formal education?

Key deliverables

Following the awarding of the contract, inception meetings, and initial planning conversations, the research partner’s tasks will be as follows:

Inception Report:

• Detailed work plan and schedule of activities,
• Description of sampling methodology and sample size,
• Methodology for data collection, triangulation, and summarization,
• Draft versions of data collection tools in relevant languages,
• Quality assurance protocols for data collection/entry,
• Description of gender-responsive approaches,
• Data analysis processes, including software usage.

Final Data Collection Tools:

• Developed, revised, adapted, translated, and piloted tools,
• Pre-tested tools for linguistic and cultural appropriateness.

Raw and Analyzed Datasets:

• Raw data collected from the field,
• Analyzed datasets based on qualitative data.

Final Report & Slide Deck of Key Findings:

• Comprehensive final report outlining research methodology, findings, and recommendations,
• Slide deck summarizing key findings for presentation purposes.

Data Analysis:

• Detailed analysis plan outlining qualitative and/or quantitative analysis techniques,
• Application of thematic coding, triangulation, and systematic pattern identification,
• Collaboration with stakeholders for accurate interpretation of finding

Proposed budget and payment schedule

Consultants are asked to provide a draft financial proposal along with their technical proposal for consideration. Right To Play offers competitive consultancy rates in keeping with market value and international NGO standards. Offers of over PKR 600,000 for the study will not be reviewed. The payment schedules will be as follows:

• First payment: After signing of contract agreement with Right To Play (50%)
• Final payment: Submission of final report and PowerPoint presentations approved by Right To Play (50%).

Qualifications

• An academic group or consultancy firm with 5-7 years of experience in the research and/or evaluation field, in qualitative data collection, analyzing quantitative data, and report writing,
• Applicants should have a relevant degree in social sciences, international development, statistical sciences, or another related field,
• Experience in the mechanism of Non-Formal Education Centers,
• Knowledge of Standardisation Framework for Non-Formal Education,
• Experience in life skills and behavioral change measurement,
• Experience using participatory and gender-responsive techniques in data collection. Demonstrated experience in data collection with children and adolescents strongly preferred,
• Experience using participatory and gender-responsive techniques in data collection, with a strong emphasis on engaging children and adolescents. Demonstrated expertise in qualitative research, including designing research, developing data collection tools, analyzing qualitative data, and reporting findings.
• Ability to abide by Right to Play’s child protection and child safeguarding policies,
• Ability to travel within Pakistan in support of the study as required,
• Existing network of local data collection firms in Pakistan to conduct data collection,
• Excellent skills and experience with data analysis using statistical computing tools,
• Team members with excellent working proficiency in English, Urdu, and other local languages, as relevant.