Impact

Swift Insights :
Leading the Education
Impact Bond Revolution

  • January 24, 2023
  • Written by Varun Dutt
Swift Insights : Leading the Education Impact Bond Revolution

In an era where educational reform is more vital than ever, Swift Insights has been at the forefront of a transformative initiative - the Quality Education India Development Impact Bond (QEI DIB). This groundbreaking project, aimed at the learning outcomes for 200,000 primary school children in India, has set a precedent in the world of educational interventions.

The Genesis of a
Groundbreaking Initiative

Launched in 2018 with an $11 million fund by the British Asian Trust and UBS Optimus Foundation, the QEI DIB emerged as the world's largest education impact bond. It was designed to run for four years, supported by a coalition of private and not-for-profit sector organizations. The primary focus was to tackle the acute learning crisis in India, where many students are far behind their age-appropriate learning levels.

Swift Insights : Leading the Education Impact Bond Revolution

Swift Insights' Central Role

Swift Insights' Central Role Swift Insights' selection as the independent outcomes assessor was pivotal. This role entailed not just setting targets for learning outcomes but also rigorously evaluating the impacts made by organizations like Gyan Shala, Society for All Round Development, and Kaivalya Education Foundation. Our approach was multidimensional, involving a combination of past data analysis, secondary research, and extrapolation methods.

Innovative Methodologies
and Challenges

One of the most significant challenges for Swift Insights was to design impact assessments that were customized for each organization's unique intervention style and financial model. This was a complex task that required a deep understanding of analytics, education sector expertise, and accurate measurement models. Furthermore, navigating the multi-stakeholder environment and achieving buy-in for the assessment process and targets was a critical aspect of our role.

Swift Insights : Leading the Education Impact Bond Revolution

Outstanding Achievements
and Impact

The programme's results were inspiring:
  • 2.5

    Students in the programme learned 2.5 times more than those in non-participating schools

  • 2x

    The number of students achieving age-appropriate learning levels doubled compared to non-participating schools.

  • 50%

    Robust performance management, regular engagement with each education provider, and flexibility in funding and approach drove a 50% higher success rate in learning outcomes achievement compared to previous programmes.

  • 46%

    The cost-effectiveness of the project was notable, with outcomes delivered at 46% lower than the original cost.

Navigating the Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Swift Insights and its partners worked innovatively to ensure continuity in learning while maintaining the safety of staff and students. This period tested our adaptability and resilience, reinforcing the need for flexible and robust educational models.

Swift Insights : Leading the Education Impact Bond Revolution

Setting a Benchmark for
Future Interventions

Swift Insights : Leading the Education Impact Bond Revolution

Swift Insights' involvement in this project has not only elevated our expertise in large-scale educational assessments but also set a benchmark for future interventions.

Swift Insights : Leading the Education Impact Bond Revolution
The success of QEI DIB is a testament to the effectiveness of outcome-based funding in education. It demonstrated how collaborative efforts could lead to significant improvements in educational quality and equity.

Swift Insights' Vision for the Future

As we reflect on this journey, we at Swift Insights are more committed than ever to our mission of revolutionizing education through technology and data-driven solutions. The QEI DIB initiative stands as a beacon, guiding us toward a brighter future where every child has access to quality education and the opportunity to realize their full potential.

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