By Alex Twinomugisha 2008

Overview

GeSCI engages with countries for a long time through the regional programs with some countries occasionally “ascending” to in depth system-wide engagement for a period of 3-5 years and then transitioning back to regional engagement  Country and Regional Programs are major activities in new strategic plan  For country programs focus on:   Transition existing countries sustainably Select and Engage new countries  For Regional Programs, focus on   Strengthening and expanding the Africa regional programs Build, operate and manage Asia and LAC regional programs

Country programs

Work with few countries (4-6 countries at any one time)for longer periods (3-5 years) and more in-depth

 Every country is different and specific approaches will vary according to local context and conditions.       Comprehensive system-wide and multi stakeholder approach Direct advisory engagement with MoEs Providing more strategic advice rather than purely technical advice Focus on capacity building rather than implementation– building capacity for implementation Focus on institutionalizing ICT4E in SWAps, ESPs, Budgets for sustainability Provide dedicated experts and advisors to the MoE

Country Program Life Cycle

Selection (3-6 months)

• Short-List • Situation Analysis • Evaluation and Ranking by desirable criteria • CEO approves country selection

Preparation

(3-6 months) • Prepare Country Engagement Strategy (CES) • Submit CES to Board of Directors • Board approval

Engagement (2-4 years)

• Sign MoU (with action plan developed under CES) • Mobilize resources (financial and human) • Regular progress reviews

Transition and Evaluation (3-6 months)

• Internal evaluation • External independent evaluation • Finalization of any outstanding activities

Post Engagement (continuous)

• Support provided under AKE

Country Selection

Based on mandatory and desirable criteria.

1.

Mandatory Criteria- short-listing    ICTs are a priority Clear country demand and political commitment GeSCI Donor priority country Comprehensive Situational Analysis 2.

Desirable criteria- final selection    Country understands potential for ICT Education reform underway Existing or planned ICT interventions

Preliminary Short list

Focus on SSA but NOT exclusive Other countries where strong case can be made  1.

 2.

 3.

 4.

 5.

 6.

Ethiopia Mozambique Tanzania Zambia Kenya Uganda

Planned Growth

The target is to work with a total of 4-6 countries every year with 1-2 of these countries coming on board every year.

Year Countries under full direct engagement 2008

• Bolivia • Ghana • India • Rwanda

2009

• Ghana • Rwanda • New Country 1 (Ethiopia) • New Country 2

2010

• Rwanda • Country 1 (Ethiopia) • New Country 2 • New Country 3

2011

• New Country 1 (Ethiopia) • New Country 2 • New Country 3 • New Country 4

Total no of countries under full direct engagement

4 4 4 4

Transition and Sustainability

GeSCI does not stay engaged full-time in any country indefinitely but at the same time GeSCI does not exit a country entirely  After 3-5 years, GeSCI will transition its full-time support to another mode often offering support from its specialists at a distance and through the regional knowledge programs      GeSCI makes it clear prior to engagement that support will be time-bound MoUs with countries spell out roles, responsibilities and deliverables Periodic reviews of MoU Focus on sustainable interventions (capacity building) and institutionalization of ICT4E Continued support after transition to ensure sustainability of programs

Regional Programs

AKE

A strategic knowledge sharing forum

 Knowledge sharing  Multi-country and multi stakeholder responses to common ICT4E challenges  Wider reach for GeSCI products and services  A platform for experimentation and innovation  Home-grown solutions

AKE- major activities

Further develop as a full program linked to other programs

 Facilitate the establishment of an Africa-wide Working Group on ICT4E in  Forge global and regional partnerships and networks  Reach and impact more SSA countries

Asia and LAC

India and Bolivia programs to transition to regional programs at end 2008

 Focus on strategic capacity building, knowledge creation and sharing at the regional rather than country level.

 Regional programs in Asia and LAC undertaken with a strategic partner instead of GeSCI having own staff and offices