Technical Support for Textbook Writing Guidelines Development

1. Introduction

The MEC was established in early 2013 to support the provision of education services for marginalized, under-served children. With an updated strategy in 2021, MEC continues to adopt a ‘systems-strengthening’ approach, to provide support for the development of ethnic and monastic complementary education. The programme works with established education providers to place an emphasis on developing the quality and inclusivity of education in Myanmar, including improved learning outcomes; and with a broader range of diverse stakeholders to address key policy barriers for the achievement of an equitable education system.

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2. Background information/context

MEC provides funding, coordination, technical assistance, and research support across different education systems to promote continuous improvement of education services and facilitate a supportive operating environment for ethnic and monastic education. MEC works to identify and promote sustainable solutions that address systemic barriers to education for hard-to-reach children. In order to ensure that quality learning is available for all children in Myanmar, through its third phase, MEC is committed to improving learning outcomes for all students through improving teacher professional development, creating a safe and inclusive environment, access to quality teaching-learning materials in relevant languages, and school improvement and leadership development. MEC works with partners in developing their capacity to create curriculum standards and instructional materials in relevant languages and to provide professional development for teachers and contextualised education programmes for the children in their system. The areas of technical support include developing training modules, policy reviews, curriculum and assessment standards through the integration of child safeguarding, gender, disability, and social inclusion frameworks in education.

3. Objective / Purpose of the Work

Access to textbooks in relevant languages is critical for students to process knowledge and skills to master the content. The proposed project is to create a comprehensive set of guidelines on textbook writing for Key Stage 1 (Grades 1-3) and Key Stage 2 (Grades 4-6 ). The guidelines will support the textbook development process in alignment with curriculum standards for Key Stages 1 and 2. The guidelines must follow standard practices in textbook writing, ensuring the grade-level sequencing to allow for the progression of key skills and concepts for each subject.

4. Services the Supplier will provide / Scope of Work & Deliverables

The objective of the Textbook Writing Guidelines is to serve as a framework for Key Stage 1 and 2 textbooks in alignment with respective curriculum standards and pedagogical strategies. The project will be designed in collaboration with both MEC and partner representatives to have a common understanding of pedagogical strategy and current practices in textbook development in the ethnic education systems. The supplier will bring knowledge and experience in leading a textbook writing process for lower and upper elementary levels in consultation with MEC and partners and develop a set of comprehensive guidelines to be used by the textbook writers and the coordinates in revising and developing new textbooks. The supplier will also lead a workshop on the guidelines for textbook writers to ensure that guidelines are understood and applicable to the partner’s education context.

Key Deliverables

Deliverable number: 1.

Deliverable title: Outline of Textbook Writing Guidelines

Description: This outline will include concepts and approaches to the textbook writing guidelines and content layout after consultation with MEC and partners

Timeline: July 2023

Deliverable number: 2.

Deliverable title: Draft Textbook Writing Guidelines

Description: The draft will have complete textbook guidelines following scope and sequence, in alignment with curriculum standards and pedagogical approaches for Key Stage 1 & 2.

Timeline: July 2023

Deliverable number: 3.

Deliverable title: Workshop on Textbook Writing Guidelines

Description: Conduct a workshop to discuss the guidelines with the curriculum coordinating team and lead textbook writers for feedback.

Timeline: August 2023

Deliverable number: 4.

Deliverable title: Final Textbook Writing Guidelines

Description: Copy-edited finalised guidelines incorporating feedback from MEC and partners one week after the workshop.

Timeline: August 2023

5. Experience and skill set required

The successful consultant will have:

• Demonstrated expertise, skills and experience with textbook writing, preferably for upper and lower primary levels.
• Demonstrated experience working in the education sector with an emphasis on curriculum and textbook development in Myanmar with a distinct advantage and ability to contextualise the content for ethnic education partners.
• Clear demonstrated understanding of curriculum standards and pedagogical strategies for primary levels
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and provide a well-organised set of guidelines professionally written in English.
• Ability to speak ethnic languages of Myanmar or Myanmar language a distinct advantage.

6. Location and official travel involved

Remote with occasional travels for in-person meetings in Thailand

7. Payment information

Total cost payable within 45 days of satisfactory completion of deliverable number or according to the proposal and contract agreement.

All suppliers and vendors are responsible to comply in line with Government’s existing Tax Law, Regulation and Policy which means Save the Children will take the contracted value as NET and will not be responsible for any Tax related payments (i.e. Commercial Tax, Withholding Tax VAT, etc.)