Policies

The REALISE Initiative

Context and Issue

Between October 2018 and June 2021, the REALISE initiative initiated a research project aimed at identifying and monitoring girls at risk of dropping out of school in Mbuji-Mayi, East Kasai province, DR Congo. The study targeted girls in primary schools (4th-6th grades), secondary schools (7th-8th grades), and learners in remedial education centers (levels 1-3), with a particular focus on those vulnerable to gender-based violence.

Solution

The objectives were to monitor at-risk children, inform school management promptly, and support the implementation of interventions to keep children in school. The research yielded insights into dropout causes, absenteeism, and effective monitoring methods involving stakeholders such as parents, teachers, and the Ministry of Education. Additionally, it identified initiatives to address specific needs and support at-risk students in returning to or staying in school.

Insights

The study provided the authorities with all the useful data and information produced to address dropout (e.g., the scale of the girls' dropout problem in the pilot town, the best ways to identify children at risk of dropping out of formal and informal education, the best interventions that can prevent and successfully avoid dropout and poor attendance).

Analysis

The effectiveness of this solution was based on the strong system development that ensured monitoring aspects of student activities.