1

Ministry of Skills Development, Employment and Labour

Relations SKILLS SECTOR DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (EOI)

SURVEY ON STUDENT DROPOUT IN TVET SECTOR MSDVT/6/3/11/4 - 2020

Skills Development and Vocational Training is one among better strategies of bridging the gap

between industry demand and skill gaps. Currently, Government of Sri Lanka focused more on

enhancing Vocational Training Sector, but there is a significant dropout rate in the sector.

Skills Sector Development Program (SSDP) identified these dropouts are having negative impact

in development and enhancement of Vocational Training. Therefore, it was decided to conduct a

survey and find out the causes for such dropouts and obtain recommendations to overcome the

issue.

Eligibility of Consultants

Should be a registered Consultancy Firm (Either Public or Private Sector)

Should have Capacity and Qualified Consultants to carry out the assignment

Should have experience over 5 years in carrying out similar assignments

Further Information

1. Interested Consultancy Firms could obtain further information and the EOI forms from

the Office of the Additional Secretary, V-Atuva, Skills Sector Development Division,

Ministry of Skills Development, Employment & Labour Relations, “Nipunatha Piyasa”,

No. 354/2, Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 05. (Telephone No.011-2136592. Fax No. 011-

2596979) on working days between 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. from 19/06/2020 to

08/07/2020 or can be downloaded from www.ssdd.skillsmin.gov.lk Website.

2. Submission of EOIs will be closed on 08/07/2020 at 3.00pm and will be opened

immediately thereafter.

Chairman - Project Consultant Procurement Committee

Ministry of Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations

V- Atuwa

Mezzanine Floor

“Nipunatha Piyasa”

No. 354/2, Elvitigala Mawatha

Colombo 05.

0

Survey on Student Dropout in TVET Sector

Sample Covering Letter and Forms

For Submission of EOI Ministry of Skills Development Employment and Labour Relations

Skills Sector Development Division

“Nipunatha Piyasa”

No. 354/2, Elvitigala Mawatha

Colombo 05.

1

COVERING LETTER1

My Ref:

Date:

The Chairman

Project Consultant Procurement Committee

Ministry of Skills Development Employment and Labour Relations

Skills Sector Development Division

“Nipunatha Piyasa”

No. 354/2, Elvitigala Mawatha

Colombo 05

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)

FOR STUDENT DROPOUT SURVEY IN TVET SECTOR

Dear Sir,

We, the undersigned, wish to be short listed to conduct the Student Dropout survey as per the Terms of

Reference (TOR) Invited by Skills Sector Development Program of Ministry of Skills Development Employment and

Labour Relations in accordance with your advertisement published on 19.06.2020. Also, we are hereby submitting our

information as requested.

i. I. Name of the Registered Business :

II. Business Registration No. :

III. Registered Business Address :

IV. Email :

V. Website :

1. The name and the position of the person who is authorized to be contacted is as follows2:

Name :

Position :

Telephone No. :

Email address :

2. We agree that the decision of the Project Consultant Procurement Committee (CPCP) in accepting or rejecting of

this EOI shall be final.

3. Further, we assure that the proposed survey under this EOI will be conducted during the agreed period in

compliance with Terms of Reference.

4. We declare that the statements made and the information provided by ----------------- ---------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------(name of the organization) in the duly completed EOI together

1Covering letter shall be typed in Consultant’s Letter Head 2Copy of Board Resolution shall be attached.

2

with attachments are complete, true and correct. We also authorize the CPCP or its authorized representative to

call any information for further verification of the information submitted in this EOI and attachments.

Signature of the authorized representative of the applicant :

Name:

Designation:

Date:

Official Seal3

3A copy of the Power-of-Attorney of person(s) duly authorized to sign on behalf of the Consultant shall be attached as an appendix to thisEOI

3

Form 01

4Certified documents defining the constitution or legal status, ex. Private Limited Liability Company, Partnership, Public Quoted Company, Non-

Government organization etc.

1. Consultant Information

Head Office Name:

Address:

Telephone:

Facsimile:

Email:

Contact

Person

Legal Status of the

Consultancy Organization4

Business Registration

Number

Main lines of Businesses 1. ………………………….. Since ………………

2. …………………………… Since ………………

3. ……………………………. Since ………………

Names of the/Proprietor

/Partners / Board of Directors

/ Management Unit

4

Form 02

4. Past Experience

Project Name of the Project value of the project Agency Year of

implementation

5. Details about resource persons (Mention number of resource persons to be involve and their area of

qualification)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………

Any other Special Notes: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Authorized Signatory

Signature :…………………………………………………………………….

Name: ………………………………………………………………………..

Designation: …………………………………………………………………

1

Ministry of d Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations

Skills Sector Development Division (SSDD)

A Study on the Drop-outs in Technical and Vocational Training Centers in Sri Lanka

Term of Reference (TOR)

1. Introduction

The Ministry of Industry & Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced persons,

Cooperative Development and Vocational Training and Skills Development, is in the process

of equipping the youth with the required skills and competencies for catering to the domestic

and global demand of the workforce. The key objective of vocational training is to transform

the school leavers and jobseekers as skilled workers by providing suitable technical and

vocational training demand by the industry.

The vocational training service providers operating under Ministry of Skills Development,

Employment and Labour Relations, has implemented a number of projects with donor

funding in the last two decades to develop the training centres with the ‘state of the art

technology’, higher capacity, fully pledged facilities and quality. Skills Sector Development

Programme, a flagship programme of this Ministry, has formulated a Career Guidance and

Social Marketing Plan to engage in social marketing with aim to increase the student

enrollment in the public training service providers in the Technical and Vocational Education

and Training (TVET) sector in Sri Lanka.

The TVET sector has a network of public and private sector training institutions conducting

skills development and vocational training programmes for school leavers. As a result of the

initiatives to enhance access, relevance and quality of the programme, it is noted that there is

a significant increase in enrollments to the TVET centers while it is also observed that drop-

out from the vocational training courses is increasing which results in decreasing of

completion rate of trainees in the respective training service providers operating in both the

state and private sectors.

As the TVET institutions experience a very high drop-out rates in their training programmes

or decreasing of completion rate of trainees, it has become necessary to find out the reasons

for drop-out or decreasing of completion rate and identify measures to minimize drop-out and

to explore possibilities to re-enroll them for training.

In particular, the following vocational training institutions which have a network of training

centres island wide will be selected for this study.

a. Department of Technical Education and Training (DTET) with a network of 30

technical colleges and 09 College of Technologies (COTs);

b. National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) with island wide

District Offices to conduct apprenticeship training programmes.

c. Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka (VTA) with a network of 209 training

centres

d. National Youth Services Council (NYSC) which also has an island wide network of 52

Training centres;

e. Ceylon German Technical Training Institute (CGTTI);

2

f. Ocean University of Sri Lanka (OUSL)

g. University of Vocational Technology (UNIVOTEC);

h. Sri Lanka Institute of Printing (SLPI) and

i. A sample of private sector TVET training service providers

As explained in Table 1, below, it is clear that there are drop outs of students each year

during the period from 2013 to 2018, who have enrolled in the state sector training

institutions. During the same period, it was observed that drop out ratio was maintained

around 29 percent (average).

Table 1: Distribution of Number of Students Enrolled and Completed in the State

Vocational Training Institutions in the TVET Sector in Sri Lanka - (2013 – 2018)

Year No of Students

Enrolled Completed Dropped Out Dropout

Rate (%) 2013 112,569 84,766 27,803 24.7

2014 127,271 102,157 25,114 19.7

2015 117,321 84,552 32,769 27.9

2016 140,042 91,796 48,246 34.5

2017 165,238 108,563 56,675 34.3

2018 148,055 99,735 48,320 32.6

Total 810,496 571,569 238,927 29.5

Source: Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) – 2019

2. Scope of the Study

The scope of this study is to conduct (i) an in-depth analysis of factors affecting students dropouts

among the state sector vocational training centres in the TVET sector in Sri Lanka (ii) review the

strategic operational options adopted in other countries in the Asian region and conduct a comparative

analysis with special emphasis on reducing the student dropout rates in the TVET sector; and (iii)

analysis of conduciveness of policy framework to promote student enrollments. This study should be

completed within three (3) calendar months; and recommendations should be made on formulation of

strategic policy and other operational options to reduce the dropout rates of students to use the full

capacity of the vocational training institutions effectively and use the available capacities of state

training service providers optimally.

3. Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this consultancy assignment is to study the incidence of drop-out or

decreasing of completion of trainees in the public TVET institutions, and identify the factors

influencing the drop outs of students and recommend the strategic policy and operational

options to overcome this issues.

3.1 Specific Objectives of the Study

The specific objectives of the study are:

a. To assess the incidence of drop-outs or decreasing of completion of trainees in the

Vocational Training Centers mentioned above, covering of two sections for

EBT/apprenticeship and CBT;

3

b. To study the reasons for drop-outs and low attainment in respect of trade, location and

NVQ level c. To find and analyse the relationship of student dropouts with course fee paid by

students among the private sector TVET training service providers;

d. To identify the relationship of dropout with availability of physical infrastructure and

materials, course attractiveness, teacher quality and delivery methods etc. and

e. To propose strategic options to reduce the dropout rates and recommend policy and

other operational options necessary to maintain the low dropout rates in the TVET

sector.

4. Study Methodology

The methodology of this study would include the following multiple devices.

4.1 Study Plan

The study of analyzing the dropout rates and the factors influencing the dropout rates of the

vocational training students considering the entire enrolment process will be completed by employing

a combination of mixed method approach based on the requirements of the information. Required

primary and secondary data needs to be collected using appropriate qualitative and quantitative

methods. The external Consultant is expected to maintain a participatory approach throughout the

study.

4.2 Data Collection and Analysis

The external Consultant is expected to commence this study by developing a plan based on the initial

discussion with SSDP staff. The study plan should include detail methodology and the necessary tools

and methods to be used during the period of conducting evaluation to achieve the objectives of the

study. This study plan document is to be shared with the SSDP for their feedback and the external

Consultant will incorporate those comments into the evaluation design. The finalized Evaluation

Design Document should be shared with the SSDP for final approval before the implementation of the

study on analysis of dropout rates in the TVET sector. The external Consultant is also expected to

share the study design document especially the study tools with the SSDP to get their consent for the

same.

The following multiple data collection methods will be used in the evaluation.

a. Primary quantitative data collection mainly from SSDP, TVEC and other respective

stakeholders;

b. Primary qualitative data collection via Focus Group Discussions (FGD) with a sample of

TVET students, and Key Informant Interviews (KII) with the key stakeholders of the TVET

sector;

c. Secondary qualitative and quantitative data collection mainly via literature review of

documents, particularly to conduct comparative analysis in enrolements and dropouts of

students I the TVET sector in the Asian countries;

d. Documenting lessons learned.

The required study tools such as questionnaire, themes and guidelines for FGDs and KIIs will be

prepared to answer the objectives and goal of the study.

4.3 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) & Key Informant Interviews (KIIs)

4

The qualitative primary data will be collected through semi-structured FGDs (targeting the selected

students, officials of the respective government training organizations in the TVET sector); and KIIs

targeting the key informants (SSDP, training service providers and TVEC officials), who have at least

one year working experience in handling student enrolments and dropouts). The participants for the

FGDs will be carefully selected from the TVET organizations for discussion.

4.4 A Comprehensive Literature Review

The necessary comprehensive qualitative and quantitative information regarding enrolments and

dropouts in the TVET sector will be collected by reviewing the secondary literature and databases.

Accordingly, the relevant documents such as Labour market information bulletins, Reports relevant to

TVEC and other training service providers. In particular, Baseline Reports, Annual Reports, and Semi

Annual Reports, relevant to training service providers will be reviewed to collect data on enrolments

and drop outs of TVET students.

4.5 Data Analysis and Reporting

The external Consultant will develop a database compiling published data and information relevant to

the government service providers of the TVET sector to review and analyze the quantitative

information and data collected in the field. The Consultant is expected to employ proper qualitative

data analysis methods to analyze the qualitative information.

4.6 Data Validation and Recommendations

In addition to the triangulation, the external Consultant is expected to involve with the stakeholders,

industry representatives, partners and the project team during the data validation and formulation of

implications and recommendations.

4.7 Study Reflection

The external consultant will present the findings of the study on enrolments and dropouts of the

TVET students to the SSDP staff and other stakeholders at a meeting, which will be organized by the

SSDP staff.

4.8 Reporting

The external Consultant will draft the study report following the standard format designed by the

Consultant with the concurrence of the SSDP. This draft report will be sent to SSDP for their

comments and observations. The external Consultant will finalize the report by incorporating the

comments of SSDP and other stakeholders. The finalized report shall be presented to the SSDP in a

reflection event by the Consultant.

5. Proposed Study Team

The study team should include a prominent Expert Economist/ TVET sector expert/ Financial

Analyst, who has involved in studying of government sector led development projects in the TVET

sector.

6. Duration of the Assignment

The Consultant has to complete and submit the study report within Four (4) months, after signing the

agreement.

7. Services and Facilities provided by the SSDP

The SSDP will provide the following facilities:

5

• Organize meetings with the DTET, NAITA, VTA, TVEC, NYSC, CGTTI, OUSL and

the Ministry officers in respect of study approach, methodology, survey tools, data

collection, relevant documents etc.

8. Evaluation Criteria

In line with the National Consultancy Procurement Manual, the following Evaluation Criteria

shall be applied to select the Consultant to undertake this study (Table 2).

Table 2: Evaluation Criteria of the Consultants

# Description Weight

1 Consultant Specific Experience 10

2 Methodology 50

3 Staff (Team Leader) 40

4 Transfer of Knowledge 0

5 Participation of nationals 0

Total 100

The minimum technical score required to pass is: 75 (on a scale of 1 to 100)

9. Estimated Budget

The Consultant has to submit a detailed budget to carry out the proposed study, covering the

remuneration for Consultants and other, operational expenditure.

10. Expected Deliverables

It is expected to complete the following deliverables relevant to the study on enrolments and dropouts

in TVET programme.

a. Inception Report

Once the agreement is signed with the SSDP, a inception report would be submitted covering the

methodology, data collection formats and guidelines, and future study plan after 2 weeks of the

agreement was signed.

b. Draft Report

The external Consultant or Consultancy firm has to submit a draft study report (after 10 weeks) to the

client for comments and observations and based on that it is required to conduct a reflective meeting

(after 10 weeks) with the SSDP and other stakeholders to obtain views of them before finalization of

the report.

c. Final Report

Within 3 months (12 weeks) of the agreement signed for the mid-term evaluation study, the external

Consultant has to submit the final study report with One soft copy and 3 hard copies to the client.

11. Qualifications for External Consultants/ Consultancy Firms

A Consultant/consultancy firm will be selected based on the following criteria:

6

a. Academic Qualifications: The external Consultant should have a bachelor’s and

postgraduate degree or equivalent in Economics, Management, and/or social sciences, or

other development-related fields.

b. Capacity, and Expertise: Professional experience related to data collection and analysis

of enrolments and dropouts of TVET students, conducting FGDs and KIIs, facilitation,

communication and reporting skills;

c. Experience: Conducting similar kind of studies on the TVET sector relevant to Sri Lanka

and abroad.

12. Contact Persons/s from SSDP:

Mr Udaya de Silva, Programme Manager, SSDP (email: udaya.desilva77@gmail.com;

Telephone: 077 7336103).