Synthesis of Best Practices for Every Child in School Initiative (ECISI)

Momentum conducted an in-depth qualitative research study on the “Synthesis of Best Practices & Lessons Learned for the ECISI Programme,” a three-year initiative funded by USAID and implemented by UNICEF Pakistan. This research aimed to identify and document effective interventions and strategies within the ECISI Programme, which focused on increasing enrollment, retention, and quality education for out-of-school children, particularly girls, in disadvantaged districts across Pakistan. The findings from this study were crucial in shaping UNICEF Pakistan’s subsequent education programs.

Step-by-Step Technical Details for Actual Services Provided

1. Desk Review of Good Practices:
   • Objective: To gain a comprehensive understanding of the existing documentation and identify knowledge gaps.
   • Activities: Conducted a systematic review of key documents from the ECISI Programme’s inception, including project proposals, intervention materials, work plans, progress reports, and routine monitoring data. The review focused on understanding the processes, stakeholder involvement, and the effectiveness of strategies employed.
2. Development of Research Design:
   • Objective: To create a structured approach for the qualitative research.
   • Activities: Developed a research design that included a sampling frame, identification of respondents for primary data collection, and creation of data collection tools such as semi-structured interview guides and focus group discussion (FGD) protocols. The design was tailored to capture the nuances of interventions across various provinces and districts.
3. Data Collection:
   • Objective: To gather primary data from the field to complement the desk review.
   • Activities: Conducted field visits in selected districts across Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and FATA. Data collection involved semi-structured key informant interviews (KIIs) with program management, UNICEF staff, and provincial and district government stakeholders. FGDs were held with provincial leads, social mobilizers, school management committees (SMCs), teachers, and parents. The fieldwork was conducted in both urban and rural settings to capture diverse perspectives.
4. Data Analysis and Synthesis:
   • Objective: To identify best practices and lessons learned from the collected data.
   • Activities: Analyzed qualitative data using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and themes. The analysis focused on documenting successful processes, stakeholder involvement, challenges faced, and the impact of interventions. Cross-referenced primary data with findings from the desk review to ensure a comprehensive understanding.
5. Report Writing and Documentation:
   • Objective: To produce a final report that outlines the findings and provides actionable insights.
   • Activities:
     • 3.1 Report Writing: Analyzed and consolidated primary and secondary information on selected good practices to produce a final consolidated report. The report detailed processes, stakeholder analysis, and the viability of strategies for replication, with a synthesis of recommendations for each practice. The draft report underwent an iterative review process until final endorsement by UNICEF.
     • 3.2 Presentation to UNICEF: Hosted a findings workshop to present the results to ECISI focal points and key stakeholders. This presentation facilitated discussions on emerging findings and provided actionable insights for future educational programming.
6. Validation and Finalization:
   • Objective: To ensure the accuracy and relevance of the findings.
   • Activities: Shared the draft report with key stakeholders, including UNICEF Pakistan and other partners, for feedback. Incorporated feedback to finalize the report, ensuring it met the study’s objectives and addressed stakeholder needs.

This structured approach enabled Momentum to deliver a thorough and insightful analysis, significantly contributing to the development of UNICEF Pakistan’s future educational strategies.