RTEI is a global accountability initiative that aims to ensure that everyone, no matter where they live, enjoys their right to a quality education. We do this by supporting civil society organizations to collect vital information on how countries’ education systems are performing in relation to the right to education. RTEI measures key human rights issues, including: girls’ education, quality of education, education in emergencies, free education, education financing, and inclusive education. Armed with this information, civil society organisations are well-placed to drive national progress towards the realization of the right to education, either by working with governments or by holding them accountable. 

Partners will collect information by completing the RTEI questionnaire, covering most aspects of the right to education. Example questions, include:  

• Do national laws provide for free and compulsory education?
• What is the pupil / classroom ratio? 
• What is the completion rate at the primary level?  

Research will be desk-based and require you to gather information from national and international sources, such as ministries of education and national statistical offices.  

This year’s research round will include additional questions on the impact of school closures and other COVID-19 response measures on the right to education. Nearly 1.6 billion children missed out on their education, and we need to be able measure the impact, particularly on the most marginalised communities, in order to craft and advocate for appropriate measures.  

Based on their findings, partners will produce a country brief highlighting the key education issues their country is facing, including the impact of COVID-19, providing analysis and recommendations that can be used as a basis for advocacy.

More information can be found on the RTEI website, including the RTEI 2018 questionnaire and country briefs. A revised questionnaire will be used for RTEI 2021 and will be made available to partners ahead of data collection.

The RTEI 2021 research round is facilitated in collaboration with RESULTS Educational Fund and World Vision International.

Eligibility 

RTEI 2021 seeks to support 15 in-country civil society organizations in the following eligible geographies:

• Afghanistan, Albania, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Burundi, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, Honduras, Ireland, Indonesia, Jerusalem-West Bank-Gaza, Kenya, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Korea, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Zambia, Zimbabwe[1]
  

Partner organizations must be able to provide proof of legal status to operate in their country as a non-profit, non-governmental, or charitable organization. World Vision offices are not eligible to apply.

What we’re looking for

Preferred characteristics of partner organizations include the following: 

• Dedication to the right to education and proven track record of successful engagement on education issues, particularly girls’ education, early childhood development, literacy, inclusive education, and education in emergencies.
• Working relationships with government and ministry officials. 
• Research capacity in either English or French, and a history of producing research/advocacy products that drive national interest and policy improvements around education.  

Timeline

• 30 June: Deadline for applications.
• 19 July: Partner organizations informed of selection.
• 25 August: Partner organizations participate in a two-hour training call from 13:00-15:00 GMT+1.
• 1 September – 31 October: Partner organizations complete RTEI Questionnaire.
• 6 October: Partner organizations participate in mid-way check-in call from 13:00-15:00 GMT+1.
• 1 November – 12 November: Partners’ questionnaire responses reviewed.
• 15 November – 10 December: Partners’ questionnaire responses are sent out for anonymous peer and government review.
• 11 January 2022: Final results shared with all partners.
• February – March 2022: Partner organizations draft and submit country briefs.  

Language

The questionnaire will be available in English and French, and must be completed in either English or French. Note that communications between RTEI and partners will be in English. 

Funding support  

RESULTS Educational Fund (REF) will provide USD $3,500 for RTEI partners to fulfil the above responsibilities. Funds will be administered in two parts and aligned with partner deliverables.  

1. Partners will receive USD $2,000 upon RTEI Questionnaire completion, submission, and finalization of responses as acknowledged by RESULTS Educational Fund. Invoice shall be submitted by partner indicating deliverable reached.
2. Partners will receive USD $1,500 upon completion and submission of their country briefs. Invoice shall be submitted by partner indicating deliverable reached.  

How to apply 

Interested organizations should complete the RTEI Application Form and submit it to rtei@wvi.org by 30 June 2021. The full request for applications can be found, here. Please put “RTEI 2021 application” in the email subject line. In addition to the form, interested organizations should provide proof of legal status to operate in their country as a non-profit, non-governmental, or charitable organization. Successful applicants will be notified by 19 July 2021. Please send queries to rtei@wvi.org.

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[1] The Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Zimbabwe have been pre-selected under a related programme. We invite interested civil society organizations based in these countries to apply as peer reviewers. For more information contact rtei@wvi.org.