Course Details

Social Protection and Education Sector Linkages Training Course

INTRODUCTION

This specialized training course explores the vital connections between social protection programs and the education sector, demonstrating how integrated approaches can significantly enhance learning outcomes, improve school retention, and address educational inequities. Recognizing that poverty and vulnerability are major barriers to quality education, this program equips participants with the knowledge and practical skills to design, implement, and evaluate interventions that leverage social protection mechanisms to support children's access, participation, and achievement in education. Participants will gain a deep understanding of policy alignment, collaborative strategies, and evidence-based practices. This course is ideal for policymakers, education administrators, social protection practitioners, researchers, and development experts committed to fostering inclusive and effective education systems.

DURATION

5 days

TARGET AUDIENCE

This course is specifically designed for professionals working in education, social protection, child welfare, and development, including:

• Government officials and policymakers from ministries of education, social welfare, and finance.
• Program managers and technical staff from education agencies, social protection organizations, and NGOs.
• School administrators, teachers, and education support staff.
• Social protection practitioners and social workers focused on child and family welfare.
• Researchers and academics interested in education policy, poverty reduction, and human capital development.

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the conceptual framework linking social protection and education outcomes.
• Identify key policy instruments and programmatic interventions that integrate social protection with education services.
• Analyze existing education systems and social protection programs for opportunities for synergy.
• Develop strategies for financing, coordinating, and implementing integrated social protection and education initiatives.
• Advocate for evidence-based policies and programs that strengthen education through social protection.

MODULES

Module 1: Understanding the Nexus of Social Protection and Education

• Define social protection instruments relevant to families and children (e.g., cash transfers, food assistance).
• Explore the key components of an effective education system, from early childhood to secondary.
• Analyze the complex interplay between household poverty, vulnerability, and educational disparities.
• Discuss how social protection can reduce financial barriers to schooling and improve attendance.
• Examine global frameworks and commitments emphasizing integrated approaches to education and social protection.

Module 2: Social Protection Instruments for Education Improvement

• Investigate the role of conditional cash transfers (CCTs) in increasing school enrollment and attendance.
• Explore how unconditional cash transfers can indirectly support educational expenditures and nutrition.
• Understand the contribution of school feeding programs to student health, concentration, and retention.
• Discuss the role of fee waivers and scholarship programs in promoting educational access.
• Analyze how social assistance and public works programs can indirectly support children's schooling.

Module 3: Education Sector Strengthening Approaches

• Understand the factors contributing to quality education, including teacher quality, curriculum, and infrastructure.
• Explore strategies for addressing educational inequalities, such as gender gaps and urban-rural divides.
• Discuss the importance of early childhood development (ECD) for lifelong learning.
• Analyze mechanisms for improving school management and community engagement in education.
• Examine policies aimed at reducing dropout rates and improving learning outcomes.

Module 4: Policy Coherence and Cross-Sectoral Linkages

• Identify opportunities for policy alignment between social protection and education ministries.
• Develop frameworks for cross-sectoral planning, budgeting, and joint program implementation.
• Discuss mechanisms for effective coordination between social protection and education service providers.
• Explore case studies of successful policy coherence in different national contexts.
• Address challenges in fostering inter-ministerial collaboration and data sharing.

Module 5: Targeting and Reaching Children in Vulnerable Situations

• Identify children and households most at risk of educational exclusion due to poverty and vulnerability.
• Develop inclusive targeting mechanisms for integrated programs that reach out-of-school children and those at risk of dropping out.
• Discuss strategies for addressing educational inequities through social protection interventions.
• Understand how social registries can facilitate better identification and coordination of support.
• Explore gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive approaches to program design and delivery.

Module 6: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning for Integrated Programs

• Develop integrated M&E frameworks to track both social protection outputs and education outcomes.
• Design indicators that capture the synergistic effects of combined interventions on attendance, learning, and completion.
• Apply methodologies for evaluating the impact of integrated programs on educational indicators.
• Utilize data from both social protection information systems and Education Management Information Systems (EMIS).
• Establish learning platforms to share best practices and inform future program design.

Module 7: Community Engagement and School-Level Linkages

• Explore strategies for fostering meaningful community involvement in program implementation at the school level.
• Develop mechanisms for effective communication between schools, families, and social protection agencies.
• Discuss the role of parent-teacher associations and community leaders in supporting program success.
• Understand how to build the capacity of school staff to identify and refer vulnerable students to social protection.
• Address challenges and best practices in promoting local ownership and sustainability of integrated efforts.

Module 8: Sustainability, Scaling Up, and Future Directions

• Develop strategies for ensuring the long-term financial and institutional sustainability of integrated programs.
• Explore innovative financing mechanisms and partnerships to sustain both social protection and education investments.
• Discuss the pathways for scaling up successful pilot programs to broader national coverage.
• Examine the role of technology in enhancing integrated program delivery and monitoring.
• Advocate for the continued integration of social protection within national education sector plans and policies.

CERTIFICATION

• Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

• Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

• Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com