Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE)
Introduction
The Puntland State of Somalia is during momentous political, social and economic transformation since its leaders declared the territory an autonomous region in 1998. The region has managed to maintain relative peace and security in recent years, which has enabled it to establish political and administrative institutions, basic social services, an active civil society, and a growing private enterprise community. In addition, much progress has been made in the education sector in the last few years. Despite these improvements, educational provision, participation and completion in Puntland are among the lowest in the world. The Gross Enrolment Rate (GER) for primary and secondary education as per the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) latest EMIS data stands at 32.1% (Boys:35.26%; Girls:28.8%) and12.2% (Boys:16.1%; Girls:9.1%) respectively.
The major challenges experienced in the education sector still relate to weak institutional and technical capacity leading to poor service delivery as well as limited oversight. Weaknesses are evident in Higher Education (HE); inadequate database for policy formulation, monitoring and performance evaluation; low access to quality, relevant and equitable education exists at all levels as well as limited pedagogical skills and the availability of teachers, especially in rural and nomadic areas.
It is against these backdrop that a consortium comprising of CARE and Save the Children are implementing the three-year EU-funded Waxbarashadu Waa Iftiin IV (Education is Light IV) project to address the challenges in close coordination, support and guidance of the MoEHE in Puntland. The project aims to contribute to a sustainable, cohesive education system offering relevant services to the majority of children, youth and adults including vulnerable groups in Puntland and specifically strengthens the delivery of effective primary Education (PE) including special needs, Secondary Education (SE), Accelerated Basic Education (ABE), Technical Vocational Education & Training (TVET, Non-Formal Education (NFE), education services addressing the populations priority needs.
Waxbarashadu Waa Iftiin (Education Is Light) Phase IV
The Education Access and Quality Improvement Program (EAQIP – Waxbarashadu Waa Iftiin IV (Education Is Light IV) is a three (13 June 2022- 12 June 2022) year EU funded project in the Puntland, State of Somalia. The overall objective of EAQIP under the wider Somalia Education Sector Support Programme (SESSP) funded by the European Union (EU) is “Improve the educational attainment and employability of the relevant target groups” and the specific objective is “The governance, quality, relevance and inclusiveness of education and training sector are improved”. The overall and specific objectives will be realized through three results:
- Result 1: Increased access to equitable quality, and inclusive education at primary and secondary levels in Puntland.
- Result 2: Increased participation of youth and adults with and without disability in quality technical and vocational education; training linked to employment and economic opportunities.
- Result3: Enhanced capacity of public institutions to lead, monitor, and manage the education system.
In the dynamic landscape of governance, it is crucial for any administration to regularly review its policies to ensure they remain relevant, effective, and aligned with the changing needs of its constituents. In Puntland, it has come to our attention that certain policies such as Puntland Education Policy Paper and Education Act within our jurisdiction have become outdated, potentially hindering progress, and impeding the delivery of efficient and equitable services to our population. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to conduct a comprehensive review of these policies to address any gaps, update them in accordance with current realities, and pave the way for a more responsive and effective governance framework.
The MoE&HE reviews the exiting policy regularly to ensure that these policies are in line with the changing environment and acts and policies developed by the government. The MoE&HE management decided to review and update the following policy and acts:
- The Education Act:
The review and update of the Education Act in Puntland is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, the Act is outdated and no longer relevant to the current context of Puntland. As societal needs, educational aspirations, and challenges evolve over time, it is essential to ensure that the legal framework governing education reflects these changes. A comprehensive review will help identify areas where the Act needs to be updated to align with the present context. Secondly, the Education Act is not effectively addressing the prevailing issues and aspirations of Puntland’s society. By conducting a thorough review, policymakers can assess whether the Act adequately addresses the current challenges and aspirations in the education sector. This will enable them to make necessary revisions and additions to the Act to ensure its effectiveness in addressing the specific needs of Puntland.
- Puntland education policy paper:
Puntland Education Policy Paper review holds significant importance due to its outdated nature, lack of relevance and effectiveness, and misalignment with the ESSP 2023/2027, ESA 2021, and Puntland National Development Plan. These plans provide a roadmap for the overall development of Puntland, and having an education policy that is in line with them will ensure a cohesive and coordinated approach towards achieving the education goals set out in these plans. A comprehensive review and update of the Education Policy Paper are necessary to identify areas where the policy can be strengthened and improved. This will enhance the effectiveness of the education system and enable it to address the evolving issues more efficiently, and promote accountability, fairness, and fostering public trust in our administration
Objectives
The objectives of the consultancy assignment are as follows:
- To enhance the relevance and effectiveness of the education policies to better address the evolving needs of our constituents and in line with our ESSP 2023/2027 and Puntland National Development Plan
- To promote accountability, fairness, and ethical conduct, fostering public trust and create an enabling environment for investment, and address emerging challenges, thus bolstering Puntland’s socio-economic advancement.
Scope of the assignment
The scope of the consultancy assignment includes:
- Conduct a comprehensive review of these policies such as Puntland Education Policy Paper and Education Act both Somali and English version.
- Review the Education Act and Puntland education policy paper.
- Assessing policy implementation and compliance across relevant departments or units.
- Identifying any cross-cutting issues or interdependencies among policies.
- Analyzing the policy development and revision process for effectiveness and efficiency. Assess the effectiveness, relevance, and compliance of these policies.
- Identify gaps, inconsistencies, or areas requiring improvement.
- Provide recommendations for policy revisions or new policies as necessary.
- Ensure alignment of these policies with relevant laws, regulations, and ESSP 2023/2027 and Puntland National Plan.
- Enhance the clarity, readability, and accessibility of policies.
Methodology
- The consultant shall follow the following methodology.
- Reviewing existing policy documents, including relevant laws, and regulations,
- Conducting interviews or focus group discussions with key stakeholders, such as department heads, employees, and subject matter experts.
- Analyzing policy implementation through document analysis, surveys, or on-site observations.
- Conducting a gap analysis to identify areas for improvement and policy revisions.
- Providing comparative analysis of policies against best practices and benchmarks.
- Developing a clear process for updating or revising policies, including drafting, reviewing, and approval procedures.
Deliverables
The consultant shall provide the following deliverables:
- An inception report outlining the proposed methodology, work plan, and timeline for the policy review.
- A comprehensive policy review report, including findings, recommendations, and proposed policy revisions.
- Updated policy documents reflecting the recommended changes (both Somali and English version)
- A presentation to relevant stakeholders summarizing the key findings and recommendations.
Qualifications and Expertise
The consultant/team should possess the following qualifications and expertise:
- An advanced university degree in education is required.
- At least five (5) years of experience in education, policy design, development and review, assessment, and evaluation.
- Good understanding of education policies and quality assurance and standards
- Proficiency in policy review, analysis, and report writing.
- Outstanding communication and analytical skills with excellent command of spoken and written English
- Familiarity with the context and challenges of Education service provision in Puntland.
Timeline
The consultancy assignment shall be completed within [17 days], from the contract signature date.
Reporting and Communication
Regular progress reports will be shared with the Policy and Planning Department and other stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability. Effective communication channels will be established to facilitate collaboration, feedback, and information sharing throughout the study process.
How to apply
MoE&HE invites interested individual consultants/firm who meet the above criteria to the following to procurement.moehe10@gmail.com) on Wednesday, 25 March 2024 latest 12:00 Noon.
Required document to submit:
- A technical and Financial proposal, outlining the methodologies and tools to be used with a detailed budget Summary.
A curriculum vitae includes three references.
- At least 2 proven samples of previous work related to this assignment.