DFID is procuring a service provider to manage and deliver the largest component of a new flagship basic education programme in Nigeria: the ambition for PLANE is to directly support improved learning for an estimated 1.5 million children in Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa states (KKJ) and support state and non-state systems benefitting 8 000 000 children nationally. The service provider will be expected to provide appropriate technical and other expertise, goods and materials to enable — delivery of more focused teaching and learning, better managed state and non state systems and use of evidence and effective communication to deliver improved performance in state and non-state systems.

Nigeria faces a learning crisis. Literacy rates are low, and lower still for marginalised children. It has the largest number of primary-aged children out of school in the world. Public investment in education is insufficient, and millions of children are failing to learn the basics. Improving participation of marginalised children in schooling, and ensuring children learn when in school, is critical to avert a demographic crisis and meet the SDG commitments.

DFID's PLANE programme aims to improve foundational skills (reading, writing and mathematics) by enabling a more inclusive and effective educations system through 3 'windows' and a DFID managed component.

Window 1 (100 000 000 GBP): getting the foundations right — a systems approach. More focused teaching and learning, improved governance (for state and non-state education delivery) and increased use of data and evidence — a large technical assistance programme to support schools and improve systems, delivered through a contracted consortium (subject of this notice).

Window 2 (38 000 000 GBP): education in emergencies. Support to help marginalised children affected by conflict learn foundational skills, and support to recovery of systems — a bilateral agreement with USAID and non-governmental organisations (not in scope of this notice).

Window 3 (20 000 000 GBP): community support to learning. Improving inclusion and learning for marginalised children — an accountable grant to a partnership of non-governmental organisations. (not in scope of this notice)

DFID seeks a supplier to deliver the following outcomes through Window 1 of the PLANE programme:

(i) Outcome 1: more focused teaching and learning: whereby more competent teachers teach foundational skills better in performance driven schools and colleges, to benefit marginalised children;

(ii) Outcome 2: better managed systems (state and non-state): which use resources (human, financial and other) more efficiently and effectively to support schools and teachers and enable children to learn foundational skills, including marginalised groups;

(iii) Outcome 3: focus on results: whereby the use of evidence and effective communication becomes embedded in ways of working, to deliver improved performance, in state and non-state systems.

Please note the estimated value of this requirement is up to a maximum of 120 000 000 GBP. This figure includes a contract value of 95 000 000 GBP and a possible 24 month extension at a value of 25 000 000 GBP. The estimated value includes all applicable taxes, and tenderers should include all applicable taxes in their tenders.