An Impact Evaluation of the ALSD II Project’s Support to the Development of Alternative Learning and Skills Development Institutions in Zanzibar

This study aimed to evaluate the Support provided by the ALSD II Project in enhancing the development of Alternative Learning and Skills Development Institutions in Zanzibar. The study was anchored in the CIPPI evaluation model and employed a convergent design under a mixed-methods research approach. The target population comprised 3,428 participants, including nine ALSD II institutions, 3,237 youth graduates, 180 trainers, nine institutional coordinators, and one Civil Society Organisation. The study used total population sampling for the institutions, stratified random sampling for 324 youth graduates and 51 trainers, and convenience sampling for the Civil Society Organisation to select the sample. Data collection involved questionnaires for quantitative data and interview guides, document analysis, and observation guides for qualitative data. Instrument validity was ensured through expert review by the Department of Psychology and Curriculum Studies at Mwenge Catholic University. A pilot study was conducted with 10% of the target population. The reliability of the questionnaires with Likert-type items was confirmed using Cronbach's Alpha, yielding coefficients of 0.906 for youth and 0.769 for trainers. The trustworthiness of the qualitative data was ensured through triangulation and member checking. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Ethically, clearance letters, research permits, informed consent, confidentiality, anonymity, and proper referencing were strictly observed. The findings revealed that the ALSD II strengthened institutional development in Zanzibar by improving infrastructure, resources, training programmes, governance, and community involvement, thereby enhancing functionality and service delivery. However, challenges remained in unequal resource distribution, programme inconsistencies, and the sustainability of some facilities and equipment. In conclusion, ALSD II greatly enhanced the development of ALSD institutions in Zanzibar by improving institutional capacity and service delivery. The study recommends strengthening maintenance systems, equitable resource distribution, continuous trainer capacity building, and improved monitoring mechanisms to ensure sustainability and equitable development across all centres.