MECPU Baseline Survey - Gender Equitable Early Learning and Development in Uganda

**Consultancy Terms of Reference**

**Gender Equitable Early Learning and Development in Uganda - (GEELD Uganda)**

**Project Summary**

Project Title- Gender Equitable Early Learning and Development in Uganda (GEELD Uganda)

Project Type - Early Childhood Education (ECD)

Project Duration - 3 years (2026-2029)

Type of Study - Baseline Survey

Study Location - Mukono & Luwero districts

Number of target clients -

**2 districts, 20 ECCE Centre communities, 2,400 children aged 0-6, 1,200 parents, 60 ECCE educators (40 for Continuous Professional Development (CPD), 20 for Community Childcare Course (CCC), 15 Teachers as Leaders of Learning (TaLLs), 20 ECCE centre proprietors, 100 Centre Management Committee (CMC) members, 40 primary schools, 20 district level actors, 16 sub-county level actors, 40 Village Health Teams (VHTs) & 80 lower primary teachers.**

Number of target service points - 20 ECCE Centres

Donor - Echidna Giving

Total Project Budget - USD 500,000

Duration of the Assignment - 60 working days from contract signing

Expected start of assignment - 1st July 2026

**Madrasa Early Childhood Programme (MECPU) Background**

The Madrasa Early Childhood Programme, an affiliate of the Aga Khan Foundation, was established in Mombasa in 1986 to improve access and quality of Early Childhood care and services in marginalized communities on the Coast of Kenya. Evidence-based success and growing interest across East Africa led to MECP being established in Zanzibar in 1990 and Uganda in 1993. Over the last 35 years, more than 8,000 teachers have graduated from MECP professional development courses and over 1 million children reached through the programming. MECP is seeking to better bring this experience, expertise, and learning and create impact and influence at scale.

Evaluations have demonstrated the positive impact MECP has had on access and quality of pre-primary education and on the educational outcomes of boys and girls.

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), founded by His Highness the Aga Khan in 1967, is a member of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), one of the world’s leading poverty solutions networks. AKDN’s integrated approach makes long-term investments, builds permanent institutions, and cultivates an active civil society, impacting tens of millions of people annually in 30 countries. Alongside its sister AKDN agencies, AKF implements innovative, community-driven solutions that are based in decades of experience, learning and evaluation. In Uganda, AKF is managing a robust and expanding portfolio of multi-sectorial initiatives that includes investments in education, early childhood development, sustainable economic development, and civil society strengthening.

AKF and MECP have collaborated and worked in partnership with and through Partners to improve the wellbeing of boys and girls aged 0-8 in the districts of Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono, Luweero, and Butambala Districts.

**Project Background and Context**

The GEELD (Gender-Equitable Early Learning and Development) Uganda project, is a comprehensive initiative designed to strengthen the holistic and gender-responsive ECD ecosystem in selected districts of Mukono and Luweero. Grounded in the principles of community leadership, gender equity, and strong government coordination, the project promotes sustainable change by positioning families, local actors, and systems at the heart of nurturing care and holistic child development. The project will directly reach 1,200 caregivers (80% women/960, 20% men/240), 60 ECCE educators, 20 early learning centres, reaching over 51% girls and 49% boys while indirectly benefiting approximately 10,000 community members, including district officials, community leaders, and families.

Aligned with Echidna Giving’s core mission, GEELD Uganda is intentionally gender transformative. It moves beyond mere access to directly address and dismantle harmful social norms, biased practices, and systemic barriers that prevent girls from thriving. The project embeds gender equity and inclusion across all its components: from classrooms and homes to community structures and government systems.

**Project scope**

The GEELD project aims at strengthening the ECD ecosystem to promote equitable access to nurturing care, early learning, and developmental opportunities for 2,400 children aged 0–6 years. The project targets 2 districts of Mukono and Luwero targeting 20 communities of ECCE centres. Key targets include: 1,200 parents, 60 ECCE educators (40 for continuous professional development/CPD, 20 for the Community Childcare Certificate/CCC), 15 Teachers as Leaders of Learning (TaLLs), 20 Proprietors, 100 Centre Management Committee (CMC) members, 40 primary schools, 20 district level actors, 16 sub county level actors, 80 lower primary teachers and 40 Village Health Teams (VHTs). GEELD Uganda aims to achieve a transformative shift in how ECD services are delivered, accessed, and governed, creating a reinforcing cycle of change