The Low-Cost Private School (LCPS) Activity aims to enhance student learning and financial sustainability for LCPSs in Northern Ghana, aligned with the Government of Ghana's commitment to the Global Goals for Education. Focused on select schools in the USAID Global Food Security Strategy Zone of Influence, the initiative addresses significant educational disparities driven by geography, language barriers, and inadequate resources, resulting in a reliance on LCPSs, which constitute 65% of private schools in the region. The activity seeks to achieve three main objectives: improving the quality of educational services offered by LCPSs through teacher training and curriculum adherence; ensuring LCPSs' viability as business entities by enhancing financial management skills and access to financing; and strengthening the Government of Ghana's capacity to implement evidence-based educational policies and foster networks among LCPSs. USAID underscores the critical role of quality education in fostering economic growth and social stability. This program, part of a comprehensive approach to tackle systemic challenges, anticipates a five-year funding period of $4-10 million. Key stakeholders include the Ministry of Education, local communities, financial institutions, and private sector actors, with an emphasis on sustainability and leveraging private sector engagement for broader educational impact across Ghana.

This Request for Information (RFI) seeks feedback from organizations regarding the USAID/Ghana Low-Cost Private School (LCPS) Activity, issued on March 18, 2022. It is part of a market research initiative aimed at designing an activity with a projected five-year timeframe and a budget of $4-10 million aimed at enhancing education through low-cost private schools in Ghana. Responding to this RFI does not guarantee any advantage in future procurements, nor does it require technical or cost proposals at this stage. Interested entities, particularly local Ghanaian organizations, are invited to submit feedback by April 1, 2022. The response should include a cover page, answers to specified questions regarding program objectives, performance periods, school selection criteria, financing approaches, and organizational capability statements reflecting their qualifications for operating in rural settings. All responses will be retained by USAID, and proprietary information should not be submitted. This initiative reflects USAID's commitment to improving educational outcomes in Ghana while emphasizing adaptation and collaboration with local entities.