Monthly Cluster Education Meeting Minutes – Mali, July 2025

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What specific actions will be taken too address the 2% enrollment decrease and gender gap observed in the Segou cluster?

Key Discussion Points & Action Items – Bamako & Segou Clusters

These minutes detail the key discussions and actionable items from the July 2025 Monthly Cluster Education Meeting, covering both the bamako and Segou education clusters in Mali. The meeting, held on July 22nd, 2025, focused on improving learning outcomes, addressing teacher training gaps, and enhancing community engagement in education.These minutes are crucial for stakeholders involved in education in Mali, including NGOs, government officials, and school administrators.

1.Review of June Performance Data – Primary School Enrollment & attendance

Analysis of June data revealed a slight dip in primary school enrollment in the Segou cluster, particularly amongst girls. Attendance rates remained relatively stable across both clusters, though concerns were raised about chronic absenteeism in specific schools within the Bamako region.

Bamako Cluster: Enrollment stable at 87%. Attendance averaging 78%, with 3 schools reporting below 70% attendance.

Segou Cluster: Enrollment decreased by 2% to 82%. Attendance averaging 75%, with a noticeable gender gap (boys 80%, girls 70%).

Key Metric: Focus on primary education enrollment rates and student attendance as indicators of access to education.

2.Teacher Training & Professional Growth – Addressing Skill Gaps

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the results of recent teacher assessments. The assessments highlighted a need for enhanced training in areas such as:

Literacy Instruction: Specifically, phonics-based reading instruction and comprehension strategies.

Numeracy Skills: Strengthening foundational math skills and problem-solving abilities.

Inclusive Education: Supporting students with disabilities and diverse learning needs.

digital Literacy: Integrating technology into the classroom for enhanced learning.

Action Item: The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with UNICEF, will launch a series of intensive teacher training workshops in August, focusing on the identified skill gaps. These workshops will utilize a blended learning approach, combining in-person sessions with online resources. Teacher professional development is a critical component of improving educational quality in Mali.

3. Community Engagement & Parental Involvement – Building Support for Education

Discussions centered on strategies to increase parental involvement in their children‘s education. Several successful initiatives were shared:

Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs): Strengthening existing PTAs and establishing new ones in underserved communities.

Community Literacy Programs: Offering literacy classes for parents to improve their own skills and better support their children’s learning.

Home Visits: Teachers conducting home visits to engage with families and address individual student needs.

Awareness campaigns: Utilizing radio and community meetings to promote the importance of education.

Case Study: The successful PTA model implemented in the village of Dioro, near Segou, demonstrated a 15% increase in student attendance after one semester. This highlights the power of community participation in education.

4. Resource Allocation & Logistics – Ensuring Equitable Access to Materials

Concerns were raised regarding the equitable distribution of learning materials, particularly textbooks and school supplies. Some schools reported shortages, while others had surpluses.

Action Item: A comprehensive inventory of learning materials will be conducted across both clusters to identify and address any imbalances.

Action Item: The logistics team will review the current distribution system to ensure efficient and timely delivery of resources to all schools. Educational resource management is vital for ensuring equitable access to education.

5. Monitoring & Evaluation – Tracking progress & Identifying Challenges

The cluster agreed to strengthen its monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress towards key education goals. This will involve:

Regular data collection on enrollment, attendance, and learning outcomes.

school visits to observe classroom practices and provide support to teachers.

Community consultations to gather feedback and identify challenges.

* Utilizing the EMIS (Education Management Information System) for data analysis and reporting. Effective education monitoring and evaluation is essential for informed decision-making.

6. Security Updates & School Safety Protocols

A brief update was provided regarding the security situation in certain areas of the Segou cluster.Schools were reminded to adhere to established safety protocols and to report any security concerns to the relevant authorities. School safety and security are paramount, particularly in regions facing instability.

7. Upcoming Initiatives – Back-to-School Campaign & Health Screenings

Plans were discussed for the upcoming Back-to-school campaign, scheduled for September 2025. The campaign will focus on encouraging parents to enroll their