Research and Evaluation Department
Purpose & Promise
At Education Development Consult, our Research Department exists to ensure that education policy and practice are always grounded in credible, context-driven evidence. We believe that research is not an academic exercise but a tool for transformation—helping governments, schools, teachers, and communities make smarter decisions that improve learning outcomes for every child. Our purpose is to generate insights that are rigorous in method, practical in application, and relevant to the realities of classrooms across Rwanda, the region, and beyond.
We promise to go beyond data collection by turning findings into clear, actionable recommendations that can shape national strategies, guide program design, and influence day-to-day teaching. Every study we undertake—whether it is a baseline, an impact evaluation, or a large-scale learning assessment—is designed to answer the questions that matter most: Are learners acquiring the skills they need? Are teachers equipped to deliver? Are policies producing the intended results?
Our commitment is to:
Relevance: focus on priority issues such as early literacy, digital skills, equity, and inclusion, ensuring our work responds to national and community needs.
Rigor: apply robust, mixed-method approaches that combine numbers with narratives, and international standards with local context.
Integrity: uphold the highest ethical standards in data collection, safeguarding, and confidentiality.
Impact: engage partners throughout the process so findings are not shelved, but actively used to improve programs and shape policies.
What We Do
Impact & Performance Evaluations – Endline, midline, and real-time evaluations that show what worked, for whom, and at what cost (e.g., World Vision’s Unlock Literacy endline across 96 schools; VSO’s TMR baseline in all 30 districts).
Baselines, Rapid Assessments & Diagnostics – Fast, decision-ready snapshots to guide design and targeting (e.g., ProFuturo rapid assessment; Gasabo ECD baseline with IDELA).
Learning Assessment & Psychometrics – Classroom, school, and national-level assessments using tools like IDELA, STAR literacy, and MEQA, and support for large-scale assessments (e.g., LARS 2025).
Mixed-Methods Research – Quant + qual designs (surveys, FGDs, observations) connected to program logics and policy priorities. (See examples under “Our Track Records”.)
GIS & Systems Mapping – Asset mapping and service coverage analyses to inform equitable delivery (e.g., Ejoheza AP GIS).
Data Use for Decision-Making – Evidence translation, policy briefs, dashboards, and learning workshops with ministries and partners.
How We Work
Methods & Tooling
Assessment & Survey Tools: IDELA (ECD), STAR Literacy, MEQA (instructional quality), bespoke instruments aligned to curriculum.
Sampling & Design: Nationally representative samples, cluster and stratified sampling, and school-linked panel designs (e.g., 372 schools sampled in a national baseline).
Qualitative Depth: KIIs, FGDs (e.g., 15+ FGDs in ECD and disability studies), classroom observations, and participatory approaches.
GIS & Analytics: Household/service mapping and geospatial analyses for targeting and equity.
Data Collection Platforms: Robust mobile data capture, QA checks, and de-identified datasets ready for replication and audit.
Our Track Records
Twigire Mumikino Rwanda (LEGO Foundation/VSO) – National baseline completed Jan 2024 across all 30 districts; 372 schools, 900 ECE learners + parents, 372 school leaders, 15 FGDs; IDELA used to measure child outcomes.
Unlock Literacy (World Vision) – Endline across 96 schools in Karongi, Gatsibo, and Kayonza; tools included STAR (1,000 children), MEQA (198 teachers), caregiver survey (1,000), and 10 FGDs; the project reached 50,000+ children.
Children with Disabilities Study (BLF/VSO) – Learning study across 90 schools in 15 districts tracking learning, attendance, retention, and motivation among learners with disabilities, with multi-stakeholder engagement.
Ejoheza AP Baseline & GIS (World Vision) – Benchmarked outcomes for 108,849 individuals from 23,662 households, including WASH/health/education/livelihood infrastructure mapping.
ProFuturo Rapid Assessment (World Vision & Salesians) – Studied 151+ schools, focusing on SET, English, and Maths, and P4–P6 performance/fluency.