School Improvement Planning through Behavioral Insights and Co-Creation (TaRL / MAEI Program)
The Behavioral Insights Research and Design (BIRD) Lab at Addis Ababa University is
strengthening community-driven education reform by translating research into action across
Southern and Southwestern Ethiopia. In collaboration with Imagine1Day and Light for the
World, and with financial and technical support from UNICEF Ethiopia, BIRD Lab successfully led
and co-facilitated a series of School Improvement Plan (SIP) preparation workshops grounded in
Behavioral Insights (BI) and co-creation methodologies.
These workshops—implemented under the Modeling Accountability and Effective Instruction
(MAEI) / Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) Program—represent a concrete follow-up to the
Behavioral Insight Study on Community Engagement and School Ownership for Improving
Learning Outcomes, led by BIRD Lab. The initiative demonstrates BIRD Lab’s unique strength in
bridging rigorous research with practical, school-level solutions.
Turning Research into Community-Owned Action
Turning Research into Community-Owned Action
Conducted over two days in each school, the workshops created inclusive and participatory
platforms for dialogue and joint problem-solving. Participants included school leaders and
teachers, Parent–Teacher–Student Association (PTSA) members, community and religious
leaders, youth and women’s associations, woreda education and other relevant sector office
officials, and representatives of social minorities—ensuring that diverse voices shaped locally
relevant solutions. On average, 40 community members per school actively engaged in the co-
creation process.
Guided by BIRD Lab’s BI frameworks and facilitation approach, participants:
- Reflected on key behavioral insights findings
- Identified real-life barriers affecting learning and accountability
- Prioritized feasible, equity-focused actions
- Developed school-specific, practical action plans aligned with existing SIPs and local realities
Geographic Reach and Implementation
The workshops were implemented in six primary schools across two regions, demonstrating
BIRD Lab’s growing footprint in applied education research and systems strengthening:
South Ethiopia Region
- Addis Gaberie Primary School (November 17–18, 2025)
- Mermerte Primary School (November 20–21, 2025)
- Kuraz Primary School (November 22–23, 2025)
- Kerkele Primary School (November 24–25, 2025)
Southwest Ethiopia Region
- Genet Era Primary School (December 2–3, 2025)
- Gayy Primary School (December 4–5, 2025)
Advancing Equity, Inclusion, and Accountability
Facilitation was jointly led by BIRD Lab, Imagine1Day, and Light for the World, with UNICEF
providing financial and strategic technical guidance and coordination through its country and
field offices. A strong emphasis was placed on equity and inclusion, ensuring that the needs of
girls, children with disabilities, and marginalized households were explicitly integrated into
school improvement actions.
BIRD Lab’s Value Proposition
By embedding behavioral insights, participatory design, and co-creation into education
planning, BIRD Lab continues to position itself as a national center of excellence for applied
behavioral research and innovation. This initiative exemplifies BIRD Lab’s commitment to:
- Evidence-based policy and practice
- Community ownership and accountability
- Inclusive and scalable education solutions
- Strengthening learning outcomes through locally driven change
Through partnerships with government, NGOs, and development partners, BIRD Lab is helping
shape more responsive, inclusive, and effective education systems in Ethiopia—where research
does not stop at findings, but drives action and impact.
