In July 2025, UK-headquartered Etio (formerly known as Tribal Group Education Services) was awarded the retender for the Performance Review Program for Initial Licensure (PRPIL) as a vendor for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Massachusetts (DESE), USA. The programme is part of a global portfolio of education projects, for which Etio is the sole strategic delivery partner.
In the UK, Etio works with the Department for Education to deliver major projects including: The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM), Attendance Mentors Pilot Expansion (AMPE), Multiply adult numeracy research trials, NPQ External Moderation (NPQEM), and external school evaluation on behalf of the Isle of Man Department of Education, Sport & Culture.
In the Middle East, Etio has been a leader in education reform for over 25 years, delivering high-impact school evaluation, quality assurance, and workforce development programmes.
Demonstrating significant export value
This renewal of the PRPIL Licensure contract demonstrates a significant package of export value, with up to 2,000 license endorsements each to the value of $2,500 to be made throughout the duration of the contract until June 2030. Having held the contract since PRPIL first began in 2003, the renewed contact represents a major milestone in Etio’s delivery remaining a flagship project under the Educator Workforce Development proposition, showcasing Etio’s position as a trusted education delivery partner.
Supporting diverse early-career and low-income teachers
PRPIL was created by DESE as a mechanism through which a provisionally licensed Massachusetts teacher can demonstrate the skills, knowledge, and abilities required for an initial license. The programme supports early-career and low-income teachers in a pedagogy-focused competency review, to guide them through the only alternate route to initial licensure across the state. PRPIL provides a more affordable alternative to a graduate degree in education and has been a key factor in the recent diversification of the teacher population in Massachusetts. Some of the key field enrolment areas for PRPIL include English, maths, physical education history, biology, and early years.
PRPIL Project Director, Neil Tembulkar said:
“On behalf of Etio, we are delighted to again be awarded the PRPIL contract for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Massachusetts (DESE). Since 2003, the programme has supported nearly 5,000 individuals to be endorsed for an Initial License. We look forward to continuing this important Teacher Workforce Development work, benefiting early career and low-income teachers, in addition to learners across Massachusetts.”