Ghana Education Outcomes Project (GEOP)
The Ghana Education Outcomes Project has been touted as the worlds largest education outcomes fund, aiming to address critical education challenges in Ghana. The $30 million initiative focuses on two main objectives: getting 70,000 out-of-school children back into the classroom and improving learning outcomes for over 100,000 children across 600 primary schools. The project utilizes an innovative outcomes-based financing mechanism, where implementers are paid only upon achieving independently verified improvements in student learning based on pre-agreed targets. This approach aims to enhance the effectiveness of education spending and strengthen the education systems focus on results. The GEOP is a collaborative effort involving the Ghanaian government, international donors, NGOs, and impact investors, demonstrating a new model for scaling up education interventions in developing countries. Reports indicate significant early success, with, for example, 17,340 Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP) learners reintegrated into mainstream schools within the first year of implementation.
Pros
Scalability: The outcomes fund model allows for serving larger populations and potentially replicating the approach in other countries
Focus on results: The payment structure incentivizes implementers to achieve measurable improvements in student learning
Collaboration: The project brings together diverse stakeholders, fostering cooperation between government, donors, investors, and service providers
Innovative financing: The model attracts private investment to support marginalized communities in sub-Saharan Africa
Cons
Time-consuming setup: The project required a lengthy five-year process to design and prepare
Donor hesitancy: Finding donors willing to pay for outcomes alongside government funding has been challenging
Complexity: Outcomes funds and impact bonds can be complex and expensive to set up, which may limit their widespread adoption
Sustainability concerns: The model's long-term success depends on government engagement and adoption of an outcomes-based mindset
Partners
Government of Ghana
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
Education Outcomes Fund (EOF)
Bridges Fund Management
UBS Optimus Foundation
Jacobs Foundation
International NGOs (unspecified)
Local organizations (unspecified)