G2G Lessons Learned and Good Practices

The Lessons Learned and Good Practices provide a summary of effective practices to enhance understanding and application of government-to-government modalities in education sector development. Based on a review of 100 documents, this synthesis does not specifically address USAID’s Education Strategy Goal 1; rather offers a perspective on the use of government systems in education, with implications for use in reform of a system for improved student reading skills.

This document provides a summary of the literature review in the form of a user-friendly tool for current and future reference, presenting key findings in just a few pages. Of first note is the emphasis not on ‘Best Practices’ but rather on ‘Lessons Learned and Good Practices.’ While many of the sources refer to Lessons Learned in terms of what has not worked, this review places greater emphasis on successful results. In keeping with the focus on what works and why, the commonly used term ‘Best Practices’ is represented in the more accurate and reasonable phrase ‘Good Practices.’ The decision however as to which practice is best-suited to a particular context, program, or project is one that requires in-depth, on-the-ground knowledge of that context.

Under the leadership of the Bureau for Economic Growth, Education and Environment’s (E3) Education Office, the G2G Education Toolkit has been developed to provide this support. The Toolkit includes a literature review; an analysis of lessons learned and best practice; an analytic framework and roadmap; operational tools; and case studies. Additionally, sample G2G operational documents from Missions currently undertaking government-to-government activities will be available to guide field staff.