Annex -1 Terms of Reference (TOR) For Technical Support ...

1 1 Annex -1 Terms of Reference (TOR) For Technical Support : Update EMIS Data Collection and Analysis Systems for Early Grade Reading 1. Background The Early Grade Reading Program (EGRP) is a five-year project (2015-2020) funded by the United States Agency for International Department (USAID) Nepal to assist the Government of Nepal s (GON s)/Ministry of Education (MOE) to improve reading skills of all community school students in grades 1 to 3. It will primarily Support the government s National Early Grade Reading Program (NEGRP) that began in July 2014 that was a part of the School Sector Reform Plan (SSRP) and currently in School Sector Development Program (SSDP).

2 The overall goal of EGRP is to improve reading outcomes for over one million learners in Nepali, as well as three mother tongues ( Tharu, Maithali and Awadi) and other languages as determined by language mapping report. The main purpose of the EGRP is to provide Technical assistance and other services to Support the achievement of the goals of the GON s National Early Grade Reading Program (NEGRP). The objectives are to improve early grade reading instruction, improve national and district early grade reading service delivery, and increase family and community Support for early grade reading.

3 EGRP will be implemented on phase basis in 16 districts of Nepal. Firstly, EGRP will be implemented in 6 districts (cohort 1) and in additional 10 districts (cohort 2).EGRP supports the Government of Nepal s to scale up this program to 59 districts over five years. MOE has realized the need of updating EMIS and flash data base of early grade reading for planning and monitoring purpose. Regarding this, the Terms of Reference for updating EMIS and flash data base of Department of Education has been prepared with a view to achieving Sub-IR Early grade reading data collection and analysis systems improved for NEGRP.

4 To achieve this result, EGRP is seeking the services from a competent firm/company. 2. Purpose and Objectives Purpose The main purpose of this Technical Support is to improve early grade reading data collection and analysis systems of Department of Education (DOE) for National Early Grade Reading Program (NEGRP). Objectives The main objectives of the study are: To provide Technical assistance to improve national data collection procedures to enable the government to collect data on teacher assignment by grade, To update the national data collection procedures to enable the government to record the language of communication of the students and To update the national data collection procedures to enable the government to record teacher assignment by language and qualification.

5 2 3. Scope of Work The scope of work (SOW) of this TOR broadly includes the following: Provide Technical assistance to improve national data collection procedures of Department of Education/MOE on early grade reading through updating existing EMIS system in DOE. Update national data collection procedures to enable the government to collect data on teacher assignment by grade. Update the national data collection procedures to enable the government to record the language of communication of the students and Update the national data collection procedures to enable the government to record teacher assignment by language and qualification.

6 The SOW covers what EGRP anticipates to be accomplished EMIS data base, however, having discussed with selected firm/company minor adjustments in the TOR may be incorporated. The SOW will be included in the official purchase order. 4. Deliverables The main deliverables of this TOR will be the following: Progress report on the completion of preparatory work for the updating of EMIS (review of the existing EMIS form/electronic version, identification of the areas of inserting data required for early grade reading that includes teacher assignment by grade, language of communication of the students and teacher assignment by language and qualification)

7 , plan for pilot test of updated EMIS form in schools and presentation of the review findings to the Technical working group meetings and/or workshop organized by EGRP/DOE. Report on the pilot test of the updated EMIS form/electronic system that incorporates data required for early grade reading in EMIS data base in DOE and validate the updated EMIS system based on the findings of its piloting in schools. Personnel of EMIS and Quality Sections of DOE oriented on the updated EMIS data base system. Process report on EMIS data collection and analysis and establishing EMIS/flash data base system in DOE and shared this report with the Technical working group meetings and/or workshop organized by EGRP/DOE.

8 5. Methodology The methodology includes the procedures to update EMIS data collection and analysis system and establishing EMIS/flash data base system in DOE. This TOR remains flexible to firm/company to propose an appropriate methodology to complete this assignment under the circumstances of its purpose, objectives, scope of work and deliverables. Under this framework, this TOR presents the following as a preliminary idea of methodology: Technical Working Group Technical Working Group (TWG) as Advisory Committee consists of members representing from Monitoring and Evaluation Division and Planning Division of Ministry of Education, Department of Education (DOE), National Centre for Education Development (NCED), Education Review Office (ERO), Curriculum Development Centre (CDC) and EGRP.

9 The TWG will provide Support and guidance as necessary to the firm/company in the process of updating EMIS data collection system, analysis and establishing data base. EGRP in coordination with DOE will facilitate this process to carry this activity effectively. The firm/company will work closely with the TWG to produce deliverables of this assignment. 3 Review School Census Form The firm/company will review the existing school census form of DOE to identify the appropriate sections to capture data on teacher assignment by grade, language of communication of students and teacher assignment by language and qualifications.

10 Workshop EGRP and firm/company will jointly organize one-day workshop to share the findings of the review of existing school census form and process of capturing early grade reading related data and establishing EMIS/flash data base system in DOE. There will be approximately, 30 participants representing from central level agencies (CLAs) in the workshop. The firm/company will present the findings of the review of school census for m and facilitate the workshop. The firm/company will bear the costs of the workshop and should be included in the financial proposal.