Utilising Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, Evidence to Design, Adapt and Scale First Steps “Intera za Mbere” 0-3 ECD Intervention in Rwanda

• In Event: Monitoring, evaluation, research and learning in ECD

Proposal

Introduction/Problem Statement: The period from pregnancy to age three is the foundation for health, well-being, learning, and productivity throughout a person’s whole life, and has an impact on the health and well-being of the next generation. However, millions of young children are not reaching their full potential because of inadequate nutrition, lack of early stimulation, learning and nurturing care, and exposure to stress adversely affecting their development. Too often caregivers do not have the knowledge or ability to provide nurturing care to their young children. Evidence shows that, with support, parents can become more effective providers of the care and support young children need to develop. Yet, most parents in low-middle-income countries such as Rwanda lack access to information, knowledge, and skills on how to support their children’s holistic development. There is also gaps in implementation evidence on scaling and sustaining parenting education programs beyond successful pilot.
Description of intervention: From 2014 to 2022, Save the Children Rwanda implemented the First Steps “Intera za Mbere” project aims at promoting healthy early childhood development by providing scalable holistic parenting education through radio-supported caregiver learning groups for parents with children aged birth to 3 years old. Through different stages in the project cycle, the delivery of the program adapted in response to evidence from Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) evidence and changes in the implementation environment including during the COVID19 pandemic period.

Methodology: On the journey to scale and sustain the project, the project utilized qualitative and quantitative methodologies across the program cycle that enabled gathering evidence and learning from program implementation and evaluation activities. This paper reflects on how MEAL approaches were applied throughout the project cycle and their impact on program improvement and national policy and advocacy. The project utilized randomized control trials to provide insight into components that works better for parenting education. Evidence from surveys done remotely via phones was also used to inform COVID-19 adaptations of the program.

Results: The application of MEAL evidence with both qualitative and quantitative methods has led to decision-making that includes the successful development and improvement of the program. At the policy level, evidence from the project influenced the review of the 2016 National Integrated ECD policy and the development of the national parenting education framework. A key learning and recommendation from the project are that the regular use of evidence from MEAL is critical for program improvement, scale-up, and policy influence.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1165353/full?&utm_source=Email_to_authors_&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=T1_11.5e1_author&utm_campaign=Email_publication&field=&journalName=Frontiers_in_Public_Health&id=1165353

Authors

• UWAMAHORO Marie Diane, Save the Children International

• Caroline Dusabe, Save the Children

• Monique Abimpaye

• Noella Kabarungi Kabarungi, Save the Children International (SCI)