In 2022, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) implemented the Remote Early Learning Program (RELP) in partnership with Sesame Workshop as part of the Ahlan Simsim project. This project aims to provide vital educational support and resources to children in crisis and conflict-affected regions. The program targeted households with children aged 5-6. From March to June 2022, RELP reached 995 children across four regions in Lebanon. This analysis examines the costs of implementing two treatment arms during wave one of the research study: RELP alone and RELP plus Ahlan Simsim Families (ASF), a parenting support program.

The cost to implement RELP was $260 per child, while the cost to implement RELP+ASF was $550 per child. The IRC spent $132,670 to implement RELP, and a total of $272,487 to implement RELP+ASF. The largest cost difference between RELP and RELP+ASF can be found in the programs’ spending on National Staff. Of the $140 thousand spent on National Staff, 17% can be attributed to RELP programming, while 83% can be attributed to RELP+ASF programming.

RELP+ASF is not a cost-effective combination of programs. Adding the ASF program to RELP reduced the magnitude of impacts on child development while doubling the cost.RELP alone appears cost-effective compared to in-person preschool. RELP+ASF is not cost-effective and should not be implemented again using this remote, low-dose, model.

Available documents & links