Impact Assessment of USAID's Education Program in Ethiopia

The Education Impact Assessment team was tasked with reviewing USAID assistance to education in Ethiopia since it began in 1994 with the Basic Education System Overhaul program, BESO 1, through the current program. The assessment focused on the impacts of this assistance on 1) education access, equity and quality, and 2) on the management systems and institutional capacities to plan, assess and implement improvement strategies. The assessment focused on identifying lessons learned, the sustainability of the initiatives, systems and innovations supported by USAID, the degree to which continuing support may be needed and used effectively, and on recommendations for future program and project support.

This assessment was conducted by the Aguirre Division of JBS International.A team of three U.S. specialists and three senior Ethiopian specialists worked in Ethiopia from April 14, 2010 through May 6, 2010, preceded by a week of desk study and meetings with USAID and implementing partners in Washington, DC (AED, SAVE, World Learning, and PACT).