FHI 360’s education team has partnered with ministries and civil society to manage education-system and policy reform in more than 40 countries, building trust and credibility through a clear commitment to national goals. We use a systems approach that acknowledges the political, institutional and technical elements of education reform. In this way, we enable sustainable solutions to critical education challenges.
Data utilization and information systems
FHI 360 experts have been leaders in the development of accessible and accurate education management information systems (EMIS) for over thirty years. Using scalable technology, FHI 360 strengthens the capacity of education ministries, donor agencies and other organizations to collect, input, analyze and report on meaningful education indicators in a timely manner. With data in hand, policy and programming decisions can be made that transform and maximize learning opportunities for children. We strive for just-in-time information available for those who have the authority to make changes and who are committed to making a difference.
Additionally, with an investment of over 10 years of work, the Education Policy and Data Center (EPDC) now maintains education data for all countries, with particular focus on the roughly 100 countries considered emerging or developing. With international, national and subnational data sources, this information base, as well as selected specialized studies, represents a powerful international resource for education (www.epdc.org).
Policy dialogue and civil society engagement
FHI 360 takes a broad-based approach to policy dialogue and civil society engagement. Education interventions do not take place in a vacuum, but in a wider environment that ultimately determines sustainability. FHI 360 education experts work with stakeholders in each country to identify, analyze and understand available options. Our approach emphasizes engaging key constituencies through dialogue and consultation. We conduct focused “action research” to understand the scale and scope of the work needed and then monitor the resulting change. This cycle of work provides formative feedback to program managers and policymakers to increase measurable change in education outcomes.
Decentralization
The movement for decentralization of education service delivery, whether to subnational administrative levels or to school-based management, has required large-scale institutional strengthening and capacity building. Successful modification of education policies and procedures, as well as restructuring of stakeholder involvement, involves applying overall standards while allowing for local adaptations. FHI 360 has worked with dozens of countries to identify and work through the challenges of decentralizing education in such a way that education outcomes generally improve, even as accountability and authority are shifted downward in the education system.
