Our work
Our work
The JET Value Chain
An integrated suite of services (research and data ecosystems, implementation and innovation, monitoring and evaluation) is offered to clients. Each link in the chain can stand alone; together, they create a chain of knowledge in which one activity informs the other.
The underlying purpose of JET’s work is to positively impact education policy and implementation in South Africa and Africa through rethinking current education systems and engaging in evidence-based research. The value chain (RIME) is reflected in JET’s organisational structure. Our three education divisions are:
- Research and Data Ecosystems (R&DE), incorporating the Data and Assessment Units
- Implementation and Innovation (I&I)
- Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
Services
Research and Data Ecosystems (R&DE)
We conduct educational research towards improving the quality of education and educational outcomes. The JET research agenda is driven by the need to improve learning and teaching outcomes, particularly in South Africa. This is in line with our overall mission to positively impact education policy and implementation in South Africa and Africa through rethinking current education systems and engaging in evidence-based research.
JET has a well-established reputation in education research, having managed and conducted a number of large-scale research and evaluation projects. We have been part of several research consortia which have included institutions of higher learning and have worked on several international research projects across Africa and also in the Middle East. Our clients include government departments, international organisations and private sector initiatives.
With our team’s extensive research experience in using a range of methodologies, we offer a wide range of research services, including:
Qualitative research
Surveys such as tracer surveys
Literature reviews
Data collection and analysis
Assessment of learners and teachers
Test development
Cost-benefit analyses
The development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks
Implementation and Innovation (I&I)
JET offers project management services targeting high-impact educational solutions that address persistent systemic challenges across the education sector. We draw on significant experience in this field, particularly in the area of school improvement.
Grounded in JET’s integrated value chain of research, innovation, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation, our work ensures that interventions are evidence-based, contextually relevant and geared for sustainability.
JET collaborates closely with government, funders and development partners to co-create scalable innovations such as digital learning solutions, AI integration in teaching and learning and adaptive school leadership models that strengthen education systems. JET’s approach is anchored in three core pillars: addressing educational challenges through systemic, scalable interventions; embedding solutions through long-term partnerships; and using robust data and evidence to guide policy alignment and track outcomes.
We offer a wide range of project management and implementation services, including:
Designing, piloting, and scaling of innovative programmes
Development of implementation and learning frameworks
Technical support when implementing digital and blended learning models
Capacity building for district officials, school management and teachers
Stakeholder alignment and partnership facilitation
Real-time monitoring and adaptive project management
Quality assurance, financial management and reporting.
JET welcomes collaboration with others committed to sustainable educational transformation through the implementation of innovative, contextually relevant and inclusive development programmes.
Monitoring and evaluation (M&E)
JET was one of the first organisations in South Africa to develop significant expertise in evaluating education programmes (Mouton, 2010). Over more than 30 years, JET’s M&E work has been wide-ranging, from monitoring and internal evaluation of existing projects to conducting independent evaluations for external clients in the private, government and non-profit sectors.
When undertaking large and complex assignments, we combine current academic thinking with practical implementation experience. Documenting programme theory and developing a logic model are usually built into the clarification phase of all evaluation studies.
Our approach is grounded in tailoring solutions to clients’ needs, with an emphasis on results-oriented, utilisation-focused M&E which contributes to improved education outcomes.
We offer a wide range of M&E services, including:
Commissioning and managing evaluations
Designing and conducting evaluations
Formative evaluations designed to inform/improve implementation
Process evaluations
Outcome evaluations
Impact assessments
Cost-effectiveness evaluations
Meta-evaluation and synthesising evaluation findings
Developing M&E frameworks, including logic models, indicators, data collection, analysis and reporting plans, evaluation questions, and learning agendas, as well as systems (i.e. for organisations, including an organisational review)
Facilitating theory of change/programme theory workshops and developing/documenting theory of change/programme theory
Providing technical support for M&E (i.e. developing M&E instruments, support for data collection, analysis and reporting, quality assurance)
Initiatives
JET Education Services has been able to contribute to new thinking and proof-of-concept initiatives in many areas and has played a major role in establishing and supporting the following initiatives.
Project reach
We present a selection of our project reach providing evidence-based research which can be used to increase the impact of educational interventions.
