Under the US Department of Agriculture’s McGovern-Dole Food for Education program, Catholic Relief Services implements the fourth phase of its ‘All Pikin for Learn’ (APFL IV) project in Sierra Leone. The fourth phase improves the quality of education, encourage the completion of primary school, and bolster community involvement in education for pupils within the Falaba and Koinadugu districts.
STS served as the external evaluator for the APFL IV project, conducting the baseline, midline, and endline evaluations. STS gathered critical information at each stage through a literacy assessment with Grade 2 students, surveys with teachers and school leaders to better understand the school environment, community focus group discussions, and interviews with key partners and government officials. STS conducted the mixed-method baseline evaluation in Sierra Leone in June 2019, working with 69 schools and 12 communities. In June of 2021, STS led the midline evaluation working at 70 schools and alongside 12 communities. The endline followed in the Spring of 2022.
After each round of data collection, STS conducted qualitative and quantitative data analysis, produced a final report, and prepared a brief summary of the findings and results with key stakeholders. The results of these evaluations informed CRS, USDA, and community stakeholders on the progress, challenges, and opportunities for success throughout the APFL IV project.