The programme design is emphasizing a process oriented planning approach with emphasis on learning and an exploratory approach with less emphasis on predetermined outputs. This approach has been chosen to provide the framework for the sharing of experiences and insights, to foster organisational learning as capacities are developed among various partner organisations for improved facilitation of programmes strengthening the education sector.

The strategy takes into consideration a number of principles:

The principle of subsidiarity, which ensures that the determination of monitoring and evaluation parameters, indicators and processes involve the active participation of all partners at the lowest level possible. It also affirms the responsibility of partners to engage stakeholders in communication and mutually reinforcing evaluation processes.

The principle of organisational learning and reflection: This underscores the broad agreement that the Formative Monitoring process is inspired by learning and reflection objectives and not “auditing” or policing functions. It focuses on recurrent adjustments, as the programme develops so as to respond to better options and perspectives identified through the FM process.

The principle of ownership and commitment to mutual accountability and transparency: There is the need for mutual agreement on the Formative Monitoring set-up, which commits all partners fully to it. The programme will combine the conventional monitoring approach which involves the use of indicators and the ”Most Significant Change” approach (MSC) methodology and thereby involve partners and stakeholders at the sub-programme level, because the methodology involves systematic participatory interpretation of stories of significant change at the programme level unlike conventional approaches to monitoring. The MSC approach supports the global Ibis M&E set-up, supporting a strengthened learning process between the programme and Ibis administrative and policy making institutions.

Partner organisations are expected to adopt this planning oriented and reflective self-monitoring strategy. Quarterly reports being submitted by partner organisations to Ibis should hence, in addition to systematic reporting on outcomes, include reporting on lessons learnt best practices and foreseen challenges.

Ibis works for a just world, in which all people have equal access to education, influence and resources.