Use of Technology for Monitoring of Large-Scale Life Skills Programme – Learnings from India

• In Event: Supporting transformative education through technology

Proposal

The National Education Policy (2020) in India emphasises the importance of life skills like communication, cooperation, teamwork and resilience for adolescents in the education system at large. The mission of Magic Bus India Foundation (MBIF) is in alignment with the National Education Policy (2020) wherein adolescents are being educated on life skills through the medium of sport. In order to conduct the monitoring and evaluation of MBIF’s large-scale program, MBIF have leveraged technology for real-time data collection, tracking, and analysis. This abstract shares insights into the innovative use of technology in managing, scaling, and improving life skills programs across India.

The adolescent life skills framework being followed in MBIF covers three dimensions, viz., cognitive, social and emotional. There are 11 life skills under these dimensions such as Problem Solving, Decision Making, Self-Management, Creativity, Empathy, Assertiveness, Negotiation, Collaboration, Communication, Self-Awareness, and Adaptability. Two models of programme delivery are followed in MBIF: (1) Direct-Delivery through MBIF staff, and (2) Government Partnership through government schoolteachers. The programme is delivered across 22 states and union territories and covers 71 districts across India. The number of students receiving the intervention across India is 349,563 adolescents in 2,309 schools through the direct delivery model alone, and 1,315,721 students in 24,456 government schools through the government partnership model.

To manage such a large-scale program, MBIF has its own large-scale web-based platform (viz. Oasys) with its access to the field level programme delivery staff to enhance transparency, accountability, and timeliness in the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) vertical of the organisation. The main system has been designed to have the child level tracking. Background details of all the children covered under interventions are registered in the system. All the inputs given to the children during the programme period are captured in the system. Oasys platform is layered with PowerBI based dashboards and tools to provide timely information at every level. In addition to the input tracking, MBIF has developed different set of tools for tracking life skill level outcomes. These tools ensure high-quality data collection, real-time feedback, monitoring and comprehensive tracking of activities. The system also creates a strong evidence base for advocacy with government and donors.

The use of technology, data analytics and visualizations through dashboards, MBIF has significantly impacted adolescents across India by enhancing their life skills and supporting their personal and professional growth. technology has reduced the cost of data entry, faster accessibility to information with reduced errors as well as has been assisting in quick identification of the areas of concern, deviations and inefficiencies in real time along with keeping a control on data fudging as well as fraud detection and prevention. Furthermore, the use of real-time monitoring and timely evidence has enabled the program team to take corrective and timely decisions, resulting in increased school retention, reduced dropouts, and improved learning outcomes among adolescents.

Author

• Santosh Kumar Sharma, Magic Bus India Foundation