Strengthening Data-Driven Education Programming Across East Africa Through MEQA
From 15–22 June 2026, World Vision’s East Africa Region convened a virtual Measuring Evidence of Quality Achieved (MEQA) Training Workshop, bringing together education technical staff, M&E, IT and other programme teams from Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, South Sudan, Sudan, and Chad. The workshop was coordinated by the newly appointed East Africa Region Education Advisory Lead (Shewaye Mengistu) of World Vision Ethiopia and facilitated by GC Education and DMIT Teams and marked an important step in strengthening regional capacity for programme quality and evidence-based decision-making.
As World Vision seeks to improve learning outcomes for children, effective programme monitoring remains essential. Monitoring helps teams assess whether activities are being implemented as planned, identify strengths and gaps in programme delivery, and generate the evidence needed to improve quality and impact. High-quality monitoring data enables informed decisions on resource allocation, technical support, and programme adaptations that better meet the needs of children and communities.
The workshop focused on strengthening participants’ ability to use MEQA, World Vision’s digitised monitoring and coaching platform, to collect, manage, analyze, and use programme data. Sessions covered MEQA administration, mobile data collection, lesson observation tools, reading club monitoring, ECD classroom observations, quality assurance processes, and reporting through Power BI dashboards.
A central theme throughout the training was the role of MEQA in supporting data-driven programming. Participants explored how MEQA’s observation and survey tools provide structured, reliable evidence on programme implementation, classroom practices, reading club quality, and learning environments. This data helps teams monitor adherence to standards, identify areas requiring support, and track progress over time.
The training also emphasized that data collection is only the first step. Meaningful programme improvement occurs when data is analyzed and translated into action. Through demonstrations of MEQA’s real-time Power BI dashboards, participants learned how to access and interpret visualized data, identify trends, and generate insights that support timely decision-making. These reporting tools enable programme managers and technical specialists to move quickly from evidence to action, strengthening programme effectiveness and accountability.
Particular attention was given to the new Lesson Observation Tool, which provide critical information on teaching quality, learner engagement, and programme implementation. Participants practiced applying observation rubrics, scoring based on observable evidence, and using findings to inform coaching and continuous improvement efforts. This reinforces MEQA’s role not only as a monitoring system but also as a mechanism for strengthening programme quality through ongoing learning and support.
The workshop also created opportunities for peer learning and knowledge exchange among countries, reinforcing a shared commitment to quality education programming across the region. By strengthening the use of MEQA and fostering a culture of evidence-based decision-making, World Vision is enhancing its ability to deliver impactful education programmes that improve outcomes for children and communities throughout East Africa.