Assignment Name: Baseline Survey of Women and Girls Empowerment Through Inclusive Education in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (WaGEE- CHT) Sub-Project under the Ecosystems Restoration and Resilient Development in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (ERRD-CHT) Project

Country: Bangladesh

Client Name: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The Women and Girls Empowerment through Inclusive Education in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (WaGEE-CHT) Phase II is a key education-focused sub-project under the broader Ecosystems Restoration and Resilient Development in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (ERRD-CHT) initiative. Implemented by UNDP Bangladesh with funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the ERRD-CHT aligns with Bangladesh’s Perspective Plan 2041 and the 8th Five-Year Plan. It addresses ecological, socio-economic, and governance challenges in the ecologically diverse and conflict-affected Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

The CHT remains one of Bangladesh’s most underdeveloped regions, severely impacted by the legacy of a 25-year civil conflict concluded by the 1997 Peace Accord. Education, particularly for indigenous girls and adolescents, suffers significantly with approximately 40% dropout after primary education and around 30% discontinuing during secondary levels. Key barriers include long distances to schools, high transportation costs, insecurity, insufficient gender-sensitive sanitation, and early marriage.

This sub-project specifically targets these educational gaps and barriers, aiming to enhance foundational education quality, accessibility, and transition informal secondary schools to accredited status (Monthly Payment Order – MPO). It will improve infrastructure and responsiveness of 270 educational institutions to the needs of indigenous girls, adolescents, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). Activities include renovation of classrooms and sanitation facilities, provision of affordable biodegradable sanitary products, implementation of mid-day meals, transportation solutions (engine and solar boats), and teacher training on gender-responsive methodologies.

Additionally, the project addresses gender-based violence (GBV) through specialized police training to support three Victim Support Centers (VSCs), school visits for GBV awareness, and reporting mechanisms. Collaborating closely with the Ministry of CHT Affairs, the CHT Regional Council, and the three Hill District Councils, the project ensures comprehensive institutional engagement and community participation.

DM WATCH LIMITED is tasked with conducting a comprehensive baseline study to establish benchmarks for educational access, gender equality, and institutional capacities as outlined in the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Plan and Results Framework. This study, using mixed methods, will cover the regions of Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachari, supporting informed strategic decisions, effective implementation, and robust ongoing monitoring and evaluation.

DM WATCH LIMITED will undertake this baseline study through a structured, phased methodology involving both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The following key activities will be executed:

Inception Phase:

• Organize preliminary meetings with UNDP, GAC, and other stakeholders to align baseline objectives and expectations.
• Analyze project documents such as the MEL Plan, PMF, and RRF to inform research methodologies and sampling strategies.
• Develop comprehensive methodologies, data collection instruments, and sampling frameworks, ensuring cultural sensitivity and contextual relevance.

Enumerators Training and Field Testing:

• Conduct specialized training sessions for enumerators and qualitative researchers focusing on survey objectives, ethical standards, data collection techniques, and digital tools.
• Perform field testing of data collection instruments to ensure reliability and validity.

Data Collection:

• Carry out extensive quantitative surveys (household, institutional, perception, and knowledge-attitude-practice [KAP] surveys).
• Execute qualitative data collection through Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and In-depth Interviews (IDIs).
• Use digital platforms like KoboToolbox for efficient, real-time data collection and monitoring.

Data Analysis:

• Conduct rigorous data validation and analysis utilizing advanced statistical software (SPSS, Stata).
• Integrate and analyze quantitative and qualitative data to produce comprehensive baseline insights, disaggregated by gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status.

Reporting and Dissemination:

• Draft a comprehensive baseline report detailing key findings, analytical insights, and actionable recommendations.
• Facilitate validation workshops with project stakeholders to review preliminary findings, gather feedback, and refine the report accordingly.
• Submit the finalized baseline report aligned with project goals and UNDP standards.

Key deliverables will include:

• Detailed inception report outlining the work plan, methodology, sampling framework, and data collection instruments.
• Cleaned datasets in MS Excel and SPSS formats.
• Comprehensive final baseline study report with strategic recommendations and data visualizations.
• Presentation materials for stakeholder dissemination workshops.

This baseline study will provide essential data for effective project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, significantly contributing to improved educational outcomes and resilience among marginalized populations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.