External Evaluation of the Child Friendly School Project in Bosnia & Herzegovina (2002-2007)

Detailed description of project Back

The Child-Friendly Schools (CfS) Project in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) was initiated in 2002 as a three year project. Following an evaluation in the autumn of 2004, the project was continued within the framework of the 2005-2008 programme cycle. It has two overall objectives, i.e. (i) to introduce and implement quality child-centred education and child-friendly environments in all primary schools in BiH from kindergarten to 4^th grade (children age 6-10); and (ii) to create conditions for sustainable systemic change and ongoing professional development in primary education.

The objective of this formative evaluation is twofold and comprises (i) an assessment of the potential modalities and strategies of the project to be replicated and scaled up with a particular focus on three elements of the CfS framework (inclusiveness, effectiveness and stakeholders’ participation with the view of documenting and disseminating the best practices in order to contribute to the Education Sector Reform); and (ii) the formulation of recommendations regarding the future of the CfS Project depending on the outcomes of the first objective above, and related to the question if the project has sufficient potential to be scaled up, replicated and mainstreamed in the education system within a reasonable timeframe, at a cost that is affordable to the UNICEF Country Programme in BiH and the respective MoEs.

Type of services provided

PROMAN provides the services of 2 education experts who:

• Study all relevant documentation and consult all stakeholders involved;
• Visit a sample of 15 schools across BiH, conducting in-depth interviews with principals and pedagogues together with Focus Group Discussions with teachers, students (Grades 5-7) and parents In addition, 4,258 questionnaires were completed;
• Analyse data, draw conclusions and formulate recommendations;
• Present and discuss evaluation findings and recommendations with key stakeholders during a two-day validation workshop.