The team however explored other evidence which were based on comparative student performances and proxy indicators that could explain how much the students were interested in the provision of the education and remained in the education system. One of the indicators used to show improvement in the quality of education in project schools used was the results of project school students compared to non-project schools in their locality. The evaluation team learned that in most cases, WEOs gave tests on reading, writing, arithmetic and different subjects at cluster and woreda levels. In all the inter-school competitions, there are both project and non-project schools. For example according to Tarekegn Dagne, WCAT project coordinator for Este Woreda, in Belta cluster schools, where there are 7 schools in the cluster, in child academic talent competition for grades 2, and 4. Alem Meda stood 1st and Tirtriat stood 2nd. The other government schools had lower rank including Wengidib, Belta. Ginbar Wuha. The results of the project schools in the competitions are indicative of better quality education provided by the project schools. The above observation has also been further verified by the Afer Gebya Priamry school principal, Ambachew Seyum who said “In the academic competition organized by the cluster supervisor among five schools in the cluster where only Afer Gebeya was a project school, our school stood first in all grades 1-4 competition in all subjects. Both the children and our school was awarded prizes by the WEO for its academic performance 2015/16” ADAA project schools also reported the contribution of the project in improving the quality of education. The principals and teachers of all the visited schools stated that as a result of the training of teachers and the availability of provisions inputs, the project schools have demonstrated progress in providing quality of education. The proof according to them is that students who went to upper primary from their project schools became the highest ranking students. These claims have been confirmed by Fano Gobena and Mohamed Demboba who are cluster supervisors of Siraro woreda. The two supervisors added that most of the time project school students are among the first 20 in their ranks when they are transferred to the next level of schools. 30
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