TORs: Comparative Analysis of School Accessibility Audit approaches.

Introduction

An International Development Organisation is implementing an FCDO-funded education project that aims to improve access to quality learning and educational activities, particularly for girls and children with disabilities, in selected districts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

As a technical consortium partner, the Organisation brings in expertise to promote equity and inclusion for marginalised children, especially those with disabilities. The project notes that the school infrastructure is not always supportive for all learners especially learners with disabilities. To improve the infrastructural accessibility of schools, the Organisation supported implementing partners and schools in conducting school accessibility audits in selected 200 schools in 15 project districts, using two approaches, followed by development of action plans for improvement. Following two distinct approaches were used to conduct accessibility audits.

The first approach: Accessibility audits of 100 schools (50 in each Punjab and KP) through were conducted by an Organisation of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) using International Development Organisation Accessibility Toolkit for health facilities. The assessing/audit teams comprised of people with disabilities including physical, hearing, visual, intellectual and an associate civil engineer visited all 100 schools for a comprehensive assessment and developed action plans. The audit under this approach mainly focuses on school infrastructure.  

The second approach: Accessibility audits of 100 school (50 each in Punjab and KP) were conducted under this approach by school-based accessibility audit teams. These teams were comprised of members including headteacher, one teacher, 02 members of SMC/PTC, one staff of implementing partner, children with disabilities and person with disability from local community where possible. Capacity of audit teams was developed by a consulting for using an Accessibility Tool developed by the Organisation, specifically for schools’ access audits. This approach is developed to encourage school and SMC/PTCs to take control of the audits and implementation of action plans.

Consultancy Objectives

The consulting assignment is aiming to conduct a comparative analysis of both above-mentioned approaches to assess the suitability of these approaches in the context of education sector in Punjab and Kyber Pakhtunkhwa. The focus of the consultancy is

• to assess overall suitability of the approaches in context of education landscape in Punjab and KP.
• to explore the appropriateness, in terms of length of tool, time requires to complete it, user friendliness, budget implications, and practicality and to assess the comparative advantages of applied approaches
• To assess the potential for sustainability and scale up of the approach by the department of education in Punjab and KP.
• to record lessons learned, challenges encountered and identification of any best practices

Scope of work

Most of the work under this assignment is desk-based work which include thorough review of reports produced under both the approaches. However, following key elements also include in the scope of work

• Review of documents including inception reports/TORs and other initial documents for understanding the context of the assignment.
• Thorough review and analysis of access audit reports conducted under two approaches.
• Interviews/meetings with the representatives of both audit firms for understanding the overall process and gathering their insights.
• Conduct consultative in-person meetings with partner organizations staff and the members of School Management Committees and teachers involved in the audit process (at least two districts from each province)
•  SMC members, teachers from the schools, staff from implementing partners in at least two districts (one from each province).
• Interviews with International Development Organisation country office team and global technical lead for collecting their insights. 
• Facilitate one day joint learning/dissemination workshop with key stakeholders in Islamabad. (The workshop will be conducted for sharing of key findings and reflection. The overall workshop’s logistical arrangements will be the responsibility of the International Development Organisation)

Reporting lines

-        The consulting firm/consultant will be reporting to the nominated focal person by the Pakistan Country Office. The consultant/ consulting firm will be expected to work closely and cooperatively with the focal person in Organisation’s Pakistan country office.

-        The consultant/consulting firm will have to manage any travel and logistics involved in the assignment during the exercise.  In this context, the cost should be reflected in the financial proposal with detailed breakdown.

Deliverables

1. A comprehensive report based on the comparative analysis of the accessibility audit approaches including key insights, suitability of the approaches, challenges and lessons learned during the process and any best practices identified during the process with recommendations
2. Brief presentation based on analysis findings, challenges and lesson learnt in PowerPoint.

Schedule and method of payment

Eligibility Criteria:

Essential

• Familiarity with the education context of Pakistan (particularly Punjab & Khyber Pakhtunkhwa).
• In-depth understanding of education systems and barriers to education and learning.
• Enthusiasm, initiative, and commitment for strengthening of education systems.
• Ability to work independently with minimal external supervision
• Experience in conducting comparative analysis of research studies and development approaches
• Report-writing expertise, including the ability to write succinctly, relevantly, and clearly
• Commitment to person-centred, context-sensitive, participatory approaches to inclusive development.
• Familiarity with the concept of Accessibility Audits would be an added advantage

Desirable

Experience of working with development sector organisations in Pakistan.

Experience of working with children including children with disabilities and other marginalised groups.

Submission of Proposal

Interested firms/individual consultant and organizations having relevant experiences and expertise submit their Technical & Financial Proposal in a sealed envelope at the address below by COB 7^th December 2025. On the envelope, mention “Proposal for Comparative Analysis of School Accessibility Audit approaches.

Address:

Office No 3-F, Street 7,

Near Rabbani Market, G-10/2 Islamabad

For more details, contact 051 -8358020 (Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm)