The recent webinar, “Best Practices for Measuring the Impact of Education,” held on June 27, 2024, provided an in-depth exploration of effective measurement strategies in CSR education initiatives. This insightful event, part of the #CentumKnowledgeSeries, featured esteemed speakers Mohammad Asim Khan, Kishan Rao, and Mahima Singh, who shared their expertise on evaluating and improving CSR education programs.

The webinar highlighted the importance of accurately measuring the impact of education initiatives to ensure accountability, guide future investments, and demonstrate the effectiveness of CSR efforts. Mohammad Asim Khan emphasized the significance of key metrics such as dropout rates, academic performance, parental involvement, and teacher upskilling. He stressed the need to align these metrics with the CSR policies of the company to achieve meaningful outcomes.

Kishan Rao shared insights on the micro-level management and continuous comprehensive review used in the family-based care programs of SOS Children’s Village. He discussed the importance of standardized procedures for data collection and training data collectors to ensure reliable and accurate data. Rao also highlighted the role of stakeholder engagement in enhancing the effectiveness of CSR projects.

The discussions underscored the challenges in measuring the impact of education initiatives, such as finding the right balance between corporate objectives and on-ground realities. The speakers stressed the importance of scalable projects, community engagement, and adaptive strategies to improve educational outcomes. They also shared examples of successful impact measurement frameworks, such as the OECD framework and the Logical Framework Approach (LFA), which provide structured methodologies for evaluating CSR projects.

Professionals, CSR practitioners, and those interested in education development found the session particularly enlightening. The discussions highlighted key takeaways such as the role of accurate data collection, the importance of qualitative tools, and the need for continuous improvement in impact measurement.

The webinar concluded with a comprehensive understanding of best practices for measuring the impact of education initiatives in CSR. This event was a crucial step in raising awareness and shaping the conversation around effective measurement strategies, paving the way for more impactful and sustainable education programs.