Terms of Reference (ToR) to conduct baseline assessment for enhancing reading skills of first cycle primary school children in Chilga, Layarmachiho, Wogera, Ebnat and Libokemkem Woredas, Amhara Region
Background
Save the Children (SC) is the world's leading independent organization for children. In Ethiopia, it operates across all regions with a vision of creating a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation. Its mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives. To achieve its global vision and mission, it employs three basic strategies: capacity building of stakeholders and partners, service delivery, and advocacy.
Save the Children has been undertaking several education projects in collaboration with Regional Education Bureaus, Woreda Education offices and local NGOs. The overall focus of the implemented projects is creating access to quality basic education and ECCD services for the hard-to-reach and marginalized children. Acknowledging the great progresses Ethiopia has made on improving access, much remains to be done pertinent to addressing the quality and equity of education. Save the Children in partnership with the Amhara Regional Education Bureau has initiated a piloting a sub project entitled Improving Reading Skills of Children from grades 1-4 in Amhara Region. This sub-project is part of the project: “Improving the Quality of Basic Education in the Amhara Region”.
The findings of the pre intervention reading assessment carried out in North Gondar reinforced the findings of EGRA-2010 and other studies. The findings of the study indicated that the reading skills of children in the region were very low. Grade 1 children were able to read on average 3 wpm; grade 2 children were able to read on average of 18 wpm; grade 3 children were able to read on average of 26 wpm, and grade 4 children were able to read on average of 29 wpm. However, children were expected to read a minimum of 60-120 WPM at grade four. Grade 1 children mean score of letter identification was 13 letters per minute, 31% scored zero; Grade 2 children were able to identify a mean of 37 letters in one minute and 2% getting zero scores; the 3rd graders letter identification mean-score was found to be 45 letters per minute, about 2% scoring zero; and Grade 4 children identified an average of 48 letters per minute, 1% of them missing all. Accordingly, it appeared evident that the teachers teaching skills of the different components of reading skills was low. Thus, improving the reading skills of children was found vital through different strategies.
Job Requirement
Purpose
The purpose of this ToR is to guide the consulting firm to adapt and use the reading assessment tools used for conducting baseline in the Ebnat and Libokemekem Woredas in line with the objectives of the reading skills project. The assessment is needed for comparative purposes of the pre and post intervention results.
Scope of the assessment work:
The work encompasses collecting, analyzing data on the status of reading skills of first cycle primary children (grades 1-4). Specifically:
Adapt already developed children reading skills assessment tools in Amharic.
Adapt background data collection tools including home environment.
Using the adapted tools collect data from 25 randomly selected intervention schools
Analyze the collected data and prepare a report.
Validate the findings in the presence of stakeholders in Gondar town and finalize the report based on the feedback obtained.
Outputs of the consultancy work
The consultancy work is intended to produce the following outputs:
Inception report and finalized data collection tools produced.
A comprehensive first draft assessment report as per the TOR prepared and submitted.
Second draft report that incorporates comments from stakeholders which will be presented at a validation workshop.
Hard and soft copy of the finalized version of the assessment report that considers inputs from validation workshop delivered.
A copy of the raw data analysed for the assessment.
5.Methodology
The assessment could be carried out employing different methodologies (qualitative and quantitative). Specifically developing standardized reading assessment tests have to be developed and administered. Secondary data could also be used for enriching the report. For this, the team is expected to show details of the methodology. The sample size of the assessment should consist of the 25 intervention schools in the five woredas mentioned. Consultation has to be made with parents, teachers and supervisors regarding factors affecting the reading skills of children.
The development of the tools has to focus on:
The five core skills of reading acquisition; letter knowledge, phonological awareness; fluency; vocabulary; and comprehension.
Making a school survey on establishing standard components of reading skills
Consultants team composition and evaluation criteria
The contracting organization would like to sub contract this consultancy work to experienced professional/s having good work experience and educational qualification in education, psychology or language at MA level or above. The consultant/s’ or firm shall be evaluated against its track record, the technical and financial proposal submitted and previous experience.
Technical Proposal
Background and experience of the consultants/firm and or individuals’ skills and professional mix of the team proposed to carry out the service.
Adequacy and technical quality of the proposal for meeting the TOR, proposed scope and focus.
Financial proposal
The total financial requirement of the consultant to carry out the consultancy work.
Break down of the cost proposed as set forth in the TOR, the technical proposal of the consultant and the schedule of activities.
Duration and time table
The development of the reading skills assessment tools is estimated to last 40 days. The consultants are expected to prepare and show a realistic time schedule in their proposal for the work planned.
No.
Activities
Due period
Remark
1
Assessment tool development
10 days
2
Data collection
10 days
2
Data organization and analysis
20 days
3
Report writing
10 days
4
Report validating and finalizing
5 days
Terms and Conditions
Logistics: vehicle for data collection will be made available by SC
Professional fee: the consultant/consultants need to reflect/include his/her/their professional and per-diem rate in the financial proposal
Tax and insurance: SC will deduct 2% or 30% withholding tax.
The consultant/consultants should respect and comply with the Save the Children’s safe guarding children policy.
Contract: a contract agreement will be signed between the consultant and SC immediately after the completion of the selection process and the contract assignment will be effective from the date the agreement is signed.
Report Outline
The report is expected to follow an agreed upon reporting structure and be concisely limited to:
A maximum of 40-50 pages
With a font size of 12 “Times New Roman”
Line spacing of 1.5”
Left margin 2” and right margin 1.5” with normal top and bottom margins- 1” each
Discussions will be held and agreement will be reached on the content and structure of the tools to be developed.
Appendixes (should include: the different data collection instruments used, the row data and list of reference materials)