Room to learn Retounen Lekol (Return to School in Haitian Creole) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Room to Learn Retounen Lekol (Return to School) - USAID/Haiti

What is the Room to Learn Retounen Lekol (Return to School) opportunity?

Room to Learn Retounen Lekol (Return to School) is a USAID/Haiti solicitation in the education sector focused on expanding access to education for Haitian children and youth who are currently out of school. The activity is designed to help adolescents return to learning in a way that is safe and equitable.

Which agency is offering this opportunity?

The issuing agency is USAID Haiti, based in Port-au-Prince.

What problem is this activity trying to address?

The activity targets the challenge of out-of-school children and youth in Haiti, especially adolescents who face barriers to re-entry such as economic pressures, displacement, being over-age for grade level, safety concerns, and limited availability of appropriate learning options.

Who are the intended beneficiaries?

The intended beneficiary group is explicitly defined as out-of-school children and youth ages 12 to 18.

What approach does the activity use to bring learners back into education?

The central approach is an Accelerated Learning Program (ALP), which is typically meant to help learners who have missed years of schooling catch up more quickly than they would through a standard grade-by-grade pathway.

What does ALP mean in this context?

ALP stands for Accelerated Learning Program. In the context of this opportunity, it refers to a learning pathway designed for students who have missed multiple years of schooling, allowing them to progress faster than the traditional grade-by-grade model.

What makes this activity "safe and equitable" according to the synopsis?

The synopsis emphasizes that adolescents should be brought back into learning in a way that is both safe and equitable. The provided information does not list specific safeguarding or equity measures, but it clearly indicates those outcomes are central design requirements.

How does this activity relate to Haiti's Ministry of Education?

The activity is designed to support Haiti's Ministry of Education, the Ministere de l'Education Nationale et de la Formation Professionnelle (MENFP), and it emphasizes partnership with MENFP rather than operating in parallel.

What does it mean that the program emphasizes partnership with MENFP?

Based on the description, partnership implies alignment with national education policy, coordination with ministry systems, and support that strengthens government capacity while delivering education services.

What sector is this opportunity under?

This opportunity falls under the education sector.

What type of funding instrument is this listed as?

It is categorized as an "Other" type of funding instrument and opportunity category. This generally signals that the award mechanism may not be labeled as a standard grant or cooperative agreement in the synopsis, even though it functions as a major education assistance award.

How much funding is available?

The listed funding range includes an award floor of USD 17,000,000 and an award ceiling of USD 20,000,000.

Does the funding range suggest how many awards might be made?

The substantial range (USD 17M to USD 20M) suggests USAID anticipated making a single large award or a small number of sizable awards capable of operating at national or multi-department scale.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is listed, meaning applicants were not required to contribute additional funds as a condition of eligibility (based on the synopsis provided).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any clarifications that may appear in the full announcement.

What does "unrestricted eligibility" mean here?

Unrestricted eligibility generally means international and local organizations, NGOs, firms, and other qualified entities could apply as long as they meet USAID requirements and any specific conditions in the detailed solicitation.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted (and created) on December 10, 2014.

What was the closing date to apply?

The original and current closing date is listed as December 23, 2014.

How long was the application window?

From December 10, 2014 to December 23, 2014, the window was approximately 13 days, indicating a short, time-sensitive solicitation.

What does a short application window imply about applicant readiness?

The synopsis notes that this kind of short window is consistent with mission-driven solicitations where implementers are expected to already have relevant experience, staffing, and operational systems in place to begin quickly.

Where is USAID Haiti located?

USAID Haiti is based in Port-au-Prince.

Who is the point of contact for questions or accessing the full announcement?

The point of contact listed is Mary Mburu, an Acquisition Assistance Specialist, referenced under the USAID Haiti Office of Acquisition and Assistance.

What kind of support is offered for accessing the full announcement?

The provided information indicates that applicants needing help accessing the full announcement can contact the listed point of contact (Mary Mburu) through the USAID Haiti Office of Acquisition and Assistance. Specific access instructions are not included in the synopsis provided.

Is this opportunity specifically focused on adolescents?

Yes. The beneficiary group is specified as out-of-school children and youth ages 12 to 18, reflecting a focus on adolescents who often face the greatest barriers to re-entry.

What barriers to school re-entry are highlighted for the target group?

The description highlights economic pressures, displacement, over-age enrollment issues, safety concerns, and limited availability of appropriate learning options as barriers commonly faced by adolescents.

Is this opportunity limited to a specific geography within Haiti?

The synopsis does not specify a particular region or department. However, the funding level suggests an implementation scale that could be national or multi-department.