Education Research and Evaluation
Evidence for Better Learning and Education Systems
Somali Researchers Association (SRA) provides research, evaluation, monitoring and data services to organisations working to improve education in Somalia.
We support government institutions, development partners, educational organisations and private providers to understand learners’ needs, assess the quality of education services, measure programme results and develop practical recommendations.
Our work considers the realities of Somalia’s education system, including access, affordability, teacher capacity, learning materials, school infrastructure, gender disparities and the needs of children affected by displacement and emergencies.
Our Education Research Areas
SRA can support research and assessments in areas including:
- School enrolment, attendance and completion
- Learning outcomes and student performance
- School fees and education affordability
- Teacher availability, qualifications and professional development
- Curriculum and learning-material development
- Early childhood education
- Primary and secondary education
- Technical and vocational education and training
- Higher education
- Non-formal and accelerated basic education
- Girls’ education and gender equality
- Inclusive education and disability
- Education in emergencies
- School infrastructure, water, sanitation and hygiene
- Education governance, planning and financing
- Digital learning and education technology
How We Support Education Programmes
School and Institutional Assessments
SRA assesses the availability, accessibility and quality of education services. Assessments may review classrooms, teaching materials, teacher attendance, school management, safeguarding arrangements, WASH facilities and the overall learning environment.
Surveys and Learning Research
We conduct surveys with students, parents, teachers, school administrators and communities. These studies help clients understand enrolment, attendance, school experience, education costs, learning barriers and perceptions of education quality.
Programme Monitoring and Evaluation
SRA supports baseline studies, mid-term reviews, final evaluations and third-party monitoring of education programmes. We assess programme relevance, coverage, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and results.
Education Data Quality
We review school records, enrolment figures, attendance data, examination results and programme indicators. Our assessments examine the accuracy, completeness, consistency and timeliness of education data and recommend ways to strengthen reporting systems.
Curriculum and Learning-Material Review
SRA can support curriculum research, stakeholder consultation and reviews of textbooks, teaching guides and learning materials. Reviews may consider relevance, clarity, age appropriateness, inclusion, cultural context and alignment with education objectives.
Our Methods
Depending on the assignment, SRA may use:
- School and household surveys
- Digital data collection using CAPI and CATI
- Classroom and school observations
- Student learning assessments
- Teacher and school-management interviews
- Focus group discussions with parents and communities
- Document, curriculum and textbook reviews
- Education-data quality assessments
- GPS verification and school mapping
- Statistical and qualitative analysis
- Stakeholder consultations and validation workshops
Research involving children and young people is conducted with appropriate ethical approval, informed consent or assent, safeguarding procedures, confidentiality and secure data management.
Typical Deliverables
Our education-sector assignments may produce:
- Baseline, mid-term and final evaluation reports
- School-assessment reports and scorecards
- Education data-quality reports
- Cleaned and validated datasets
- Learning-assessment findings
- Curriculum and learning-material review reports
- School coverage and accessibility maps
- Statistical tables and dashboards
- Education policy briefs
- Practical improvement and implementation plans
Local Knowledge and Nationwide Reach
SRA combines education research expertise with a nationwide field network. Our locally recruited researchers and enumerators understand community structures, local languages and the operating conditions affecting schools and learners in different parts of Somalia.
This enables us to collect reliable evidence from schools, education institutions and communities in urban, rural and hard-to-reach locations.
Work With SRA
Whether you need a school assessment, education survey, programme evaluation, data-quality review, curriculum study or third-party monitoring assignment, SRA can provide practical and context-sensitive support.
Contact SRA to discuss your education research and evaluation requirements.