Evaluation of Educate Girls’ Pragati Program
The Pragati Program is a flagship initiative of Educate Girls, designed to empower adolescent girls and women aged 14-29 years who have dropped out of formal schooling. The program provides a “second chance” to learners in rural and marginalized areas, enabling them to achieve their 10th-grade credentials through State Open Schools and access further opportunities for education and earning.
To evaluate the program’s impact comprehensively, Populi conducted a mixed- method evaluation. The evaluation delved into the program’s outcomes, challenges, and areas for improvement, addressing critical questions around program delivery, learner achievements, and the model’s scalability. The study captured diverse perspectives from key stakeholders, including learners, Preraks (mentors), and the parents of enrolled girls. The study was conducted in five districts of Rajasthan. The survey data was collected telephonically and qualitative interviews and FGDs were conducted in-field.
The study examined the socio-economic barriers to participation and the program’s adaptability to address learners’ diverse needs. These perspectives provided a comprehensive understanding of the impact of the Pragati Program. The study showed that the program bridged educational gaps by ensuring girls completed their 10th grade certification and also built confidence, independence and empowered these young women to envision and pursue a brighter future. Participants in the program developed aspirations to complete their 12th-grade education and continue studying further
Through the program evaluation, Populi provided actionable insights to Educate Girls, enabling them to refine and scale the Pragati Program and prepare for a more in-depth evaluation.