Rapid Independent Evaluation of ILMpact Programme funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)

Background and context about the project

ILMpact originally envisaged two cohorts of intervention by September 2027 with an endline assessment, planned in 2027. However, the programme's original duration has been affected by two converging factors: funding constraints and a strategic shift in FCDO's programming approach — from direct service delivery towards system support, moving away from external implementation toward supporting resilient state-led educational systems. As a result, an early closure is now planned for September 2026, ahead of the originally envisaged second cohort and endline assessment cycle.

During the year 2025–26, ILMpact reached 200,692 children across 530 schools in Punjab and KPK, of whom 48,741 girls in Grades 3–5 received targeted remedial learning support. The programme re-enrolled 34,000 out-of-school and dropout children, with a further 15,000 OOSC enrolled following the catchup learning camps. Beyond learning outcomes, 125,333 children received health screening through qualified health practitioners, while 5,430 teachers and teacher coaches were trained to sustain quality delivery. Community engagement was equally substantial, with 3,879 parents and caregivers through PTC and SMC platforms mobilised for school improvement, and minor repairs and rehabilitation work initiated in 400 schools.

Given this context, British Council and FCDO have agreed to commission an independent evaluation in lieu of the planned endline assessment. The evaluation aims to assess the effectiveness and scalability of the remedial learning model, and to generate credible evidence that can inform stakeholder decisions for a system wide implementation.

About the role of the specialist supplier (Evaluator)

The supplier will provide credible and actionable evidence on the performance of the ILMpact remedial learning model. Guided by the OECD-DAC evaluation criteria of Relevance, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Impact, and Sustainability, the assessment will examine the results achieved and validate the reliability and robustness of existing programme and assessment data. The supplier will assess the learning gains attributable to the programme by analysing available pre and post learning data of treatment and control groups and will also examine the robustness of data collection processes, frequency, quality and consistency of the reported data. The supplier will conduct value-for-money analysis using programme financial data and existing VfM approach adopted by the programme.

For more information download the attached file.

Interested consultants or firms should submit the technical and financial proposal to two following emails atif.naveed@britishcouncil.org and Rizwan.mahmood@britishcouncil.org. For any queries, please contact Rizwan Mahmood (Senior MEL Lead) through email.

• Technical proposal: understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, and workplan.
• Financial proposal: itemised budget with daily rates and estimated costs.
• CV of key personnel and at least two relevant evaluation samples.

Following Criteria would be used for Evaluating the proposals.

• Professional qualification relevant to the assignment (30%)
• Relevant experience of Education Programme Evaluations (20%)
• Technical Approach to carry out the assignment (20%)
• Responsiveness to GESSI in technical proposal (10%)
• Financial Proposal (Value for money) (20%)