Evaluation of Education Investments under the Special framework of Assistance (SFA) to Banana Producing Countries in the Banana Belt

Detailed description of project Back

Over recent years, the EU has provided significant and focussed support to education in the Banana Belt through the Special Framework of Assistance (SFA) for traditional ACP Suppliers of Bananas. More recently, the five year National Adaptation Strategy (NAS) became the basis for a new Accompanying Measures for Bananas Programme (BAM). The objectives of the NAS are consistent with the national policy framework and support the adjustment process of the industry by strengthening competitiveness and seeking to improve living standards and conditions for farmers and their families.The SFAs 1999 and 2000 gave assistance solely for enhanced banana competitiveness and from SFA 2001 to SFA 2005 rural development. SFA 2007 and SFA 2008 are entirely dedicated towards improving the lot of banana workers and their dependents, strengthening two important areas of rural development through (a) the provision of additional economic infrastructure and (b) improvement in quantity and quality of education and skills development in the banana belt. Five Education Projects were as such financed:

• Improved Primary School infrastructure (SFA 2003);
• Secondary Teachers Education Project-Service Contract (SFA 2007);
• Construction of Georgetown Technical High School (SFA 2007/8);
• Establishment of a Grant Fund to Rapidly Increase the Number of Qualified Teachers and improve the Quality of teaching in the Primary School of the Banana Belt – Grant Contract (SFA 2008);
• Supply and Installation of Computers and Related Equipment at the Georgetown Technical High School in the Stann Creek District (SFA 2008).

The current evaluation will provide the decision-makers in the Government of Belize, the relevant external co-operation services of the European Commission and the wider public with sufficient information to:

• Make an overall independent assessment about the performance of the project/ programme, paying particularly attention to the methods of delivery, and potential impact of the project actions against its objectives;
• Identify key lessons and to propose practical recommendations for follow-up actions in particular related to education components being designed under the BAM.

Type of services provided

PROMAN provides the services of a team of two education experts who:

• Reviewed all relevant project documents and other background materials;
• Conducted stakeholder consultations at Belmopan, meeting European Union, Ministry of Education, National Authorising Officer, University of Belize and Social Investment Fund representatives;
• Visited schools and held discussions with principals, teachers, parents, students and others in the Banana Belt and also in Dangriga;
• Presented and discussed provisional findings and conclusions at a seminar in Independence with over twenty stakeholders and beneficiaries;
• Drafted a final evaluation report.

PROMAN is responsible for managing, backstopping and provision of quality control.