The Impact of School Development Plans on Education Quality

In the quest to provide quality education to children in underserved communities, EduQuality, a program of Opportunity EduFinance has emerged as a beacon of hope. By empowering schools to create and implement School Development Plans (SDPs), the program has significantly improved educational outcomes and community well-being.

School Development Plans are strategic tools that help schools identify their strengths and areas for improvement. According to our recent study, 94% of school partners reported positive impacts from creating their annual SDPs. These plans cover various focus areas, including infrastructure, teaching quality, student welfare, and community engagement.

Hillside Riwo Academy in Western Kenya exemplifies the transformative power of SDPs. Starting as a small initiative under a tree, the school has grown into a thriving institution serving 342 learners from Pre-Primary to Grade 6. The school's journey took a significant turn when it joined the EduQuality Program in March 2023.

The school prioritized building dormitories to accommodate more students and protect them from harmful practices like Female Genital Mutilation and early marriages. This initiative not only boosted enrollment but also improved academic performance by providing a stable learning environment. Additionally, Hillside Riwo Academy acquired a mobile water tank to provide clean drinking water, replacing the unreliable sources from streams and riverbeds. This improvement has had a profound impact on student health and attendance.

Ms. Wilfrida Chepkorkor Alukulem, the school director, shared, "The EduQuality Program has been transformative for us. Our operational budget and strategic planning have improved, allowing us to allocate resources more effectively and create a safer, more supportive environment for our students."

School Development Plans at other schools

The success of Hillside Riwo Academy is mirrored in many other schools participating in the EduQuality Program. Positive Brains School in Ghana, founded by Benard Nelson, has grown from two learners to a full-fledged institution. The SDP helped the school secure loans for infrastructure development, including new classrooms and sanitation facilities, significantly improving student attendance and performance.

In Tanzania, Cornerstone English Medium School, established by Ms. Neema Mgarura, has used its SDP to focus on inclusive education. By building gender-separated bathrooms and hiring additional teachers, the school has created a more conducive learning environment for all students.

Soroti Education Center in Uganda, led by Annet Omoding, has leveraged its SDP to enhance health and safety measures, including installing running water and security fencing. These improvements have kept more students, especially girls, in school.

EduQuality 

The EduQuality Program supports schools through a holistic three-year development model. Schools are grouped into clusters, fostering collaboration and mutual support among school leaders and teacher mentors. This network helps schools overcome challenges and share best practices, creating a self-improving school system.

Pathways to Excellence (P2E) is a guide that helps school leaders self-diagnose their school's quality across 18 domains, including School Culture, School Management, and Teaching & Learning. The results inform the creation of SDPs, targeting specific areas for improvement each year.

The EduQuality Program has demonstrated that strategic planning and community collaboration can transform education in underserved areas. Through the creation and implementation of School Development Plans, schools have improved infrastructure, teaching quality, and student welfare. These efforts have made quality education accessible to more children, empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and build brighter futures.

As Ms. Alukulem aptly puts it, "Our journey with the EduQuality Program has been one of growth and transformation. We are not just building a school; we are building a community of learners and leaders."

Read our recent blog on The Mityana Zone, Uganda here.