Consolidating research quality to inform education policy and practice in Africa presented by Kathryn TOURE, Educational Research Network for West and

Consolidating research quality

to inform educationpolicy and practice in Africa

presented by

Kathryn TOURE,Educational Research Network for West and Central Africa

(ERNWACA)

Steering Committee Seminar ofAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA)

Follow-up to the quality exercise:the experience and role of Working Groupsand regional networks in capacity building

14-15 April 2004Chavanne-de-Bogis, Switzerland

Consolidating research quality, ADEA / April 2004 - 2

Outline

Who we are, where we’ve been– ERNWACA as a case study

for consolidating research quality

What we are doing, where we are going– An integrated approach to research

Perspectives – Quality partnerships


ERNWACA

WHO WE ARE,WHERE WE’VE BEEN

PART I


• VISION

Give an African faceto education in Africa

• MISSION

Promote African expertise and culture of research to improve education policy and practice

ROCARE - ERNWACA


ERNWACA NGO founded in 1989 in Freetown (sister network ERNESA founded in

1988)

Regional vision and approach with 13 member countries

Research priorities defined in the region, for the region

15 years of experience in transnational research and regional networking

Sole bilingual (multilingual) network for educational research in West and Central Africa

250 member researchers From diverse institutional, professional and disciplinary backgrounds

Linkages with national and regional institutions

Participatory approach that involves researchers, government, civil society, and journalists

Bringing critical perspectives to educational systems, for 2010 and beyond …


ROCARE

Vision et approche régionale avec 13 pays membres

Priorités de recherche définies dans la région pour la région

15 ans d’expérience dans la recherche transnationale et le réseautage régional

Seul réseau bilingue (multilingue) pour la recherche en éducation en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre

250 chercheurs membres Profils institutionnels, professionnels et disciplinaires divers

Liens de collaboration avec les institutions nationales et

régionales

Approche participative qui implique les chercheurs, le gouvernement, la société civile et les journalistes

Perspectives critiques et indépendants sur nos systèmes éducatifs … pour l’éducation du 2020 et au delà …


Member Countries / Pays Membres

Bénin Burkina Faso Cameroun Côte d'Ivoire Gambie Ghana Guinée Mali Niger Nigeria Sénégal Sierra Leone Togo


NC*

RC

ERNWACA Networking structure

NCNC

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

• 15 to 25 members

• National Coordinator

• National Coordinating Committee

• National Scientific Committee

• Board of Directors

• Regional Scientific Committee

* National Coordination


ERNWACA objectives

Research and training

Advocacy and visibility

Institutional development


Objective area no. 1

RESEARCH andTRAINING

Small Grants Program for Education Research

National studies

Transnational studies + research methods workshops


Research Agenda, 2002-20101. Quality of Instruction and Management of Teachers

2. Impact of HIV/AIDS on education systems and education response

3. Education in countries in crisis or conflict

4. Contribution of New Technologies to Education in Africa

5. Use of National Languages in Education

6. Sector Analysis: Reform processes, decentralization, community participation, private sector involvement

7. Beyond basic education: links to non-formal, TEVT, higher education …

8. INCORPORATE GENDER ANALYSIS – all themes


Transnational studiesTransnational studies

HIV/AIDS & EducationHIV/AIDS & Education

Community participationCommunity participation

ICT & EducationICT & Education

DecentralisationDecentralisation



ADVOCACY and

VISIBILITY

Ministry linkages

ERNWACA Cafés

Web site

Peer-reviewed

Journal of Education Research in Africa(JERA / RARE)


Stimulating public and policy dialogue

sur

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Impact du SIDA sur l’offre et la demande scolaires en Afrique sub -Saharienne, Denis Dougnon, ROCARE-Mali et ISFRA

Utilisation des données d’enquêtes démographiques et de santé (EDS)

dans la définition de profils types de personnes infectées par le VIH/SIDA , Mamadou Kani Konaté, Sociologue-chercheur, membre du ROCARE-Mali

Lutte contre le VIH/SIDA à l’école au M ali , GTZ-Mali

Enfants vulnérables, VIH/SIDA et l’éducation , UNESCO-Mali

Internet, jeunes, VIH/SIDA et l’éducation ,

Mamadou Lamine Diarra, Coordination Régionale du ROCARE

mardi, le 11 mai 2004 10h00 – 12h00

Salle de conférence

Coordination Régionale du ROCARE, Cour ISFRA, N’Golonina, Bamako (Mali)

suivi d’un déjeuner sur place (500 f cfa pour les non-membres du ROCARE)

Pour participer, veuillez envoyer un e-mail à [email protected] ou téléphoner au 221 16 12.

Pour consulter les papiers des présentations du Café, visitez www.rocare.org. Le Café ROCARE est un espace de réflexion et de partage d’expériences sur les questions pressantes de l’éducation.

Il est aussi un forum d’information et d’échange sur les recherches du ROCARE et de ses partenaires. Réseau Ouest et Centre Africain de Recherche en Education (ROCARE) / Educational Research Network for West and Central Africa (ERNWACA)

ROCARE-Mali, s/c ISFRA annexe, Badalabougou, Bamako, tél./fax : (223) 223 65 78, 638 90 80, [email protected] Coordination Régionale : BP E 1854, Bamako, MALI, (223) 221 16 12 / 674 83 84, Fax: (223) 221 21 15

Bénin • Burkina Faso • Cameroun • Cote d’Ivoire • Gambia •Ghana • Guinée• Mali • Niger • Nigeria • Sénégal • Sierra Leon • Togo www.rocare.org

Critical PerspectivesRegional Seminar on Education:

Schooling and Skills Developmentfrom a Gender Perspectivein West and Central Africa

Organized byERNWACA

and

Network for Policy Research Review and Advice on Education and Training (NORRAG)

with support from

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)

13-15 September 2004Bamako, MALI

For researchers, policymakers, and practitioners Review of UNESCO and World Bank publications

from national and regional perspectives Presentation and publication of

30 policy-oriented papers


Promoting promising young scholars


Enhancing research with ICTs



INSTITUTIONALDEVELOPMENT

Partnerships

Endowment Fund for more financial autonomy

Decentralization


Research impact on policy and practice

GHANA

Sector analysis review for WGESA

Report for Ghana Nat’l Education coalition

ERNWACA-Ghana institutional development

Documentation center at Ministry of Education

Tool to campaign for more $ for basic education

COTE D’IVOIRE

Studies on obstacles to girls’ education

Seminars with teacher unions on findings from HIV/AIDS research

Policies that increased access in north of country

Teachers training teachers on HIV/AIDS instruction



BENIN / TOGO

Study on vocational training

Curriculum reforms for more congruence between theoretical and practical training and informal sector realities

GAMBIA

Peer review of Gambia College

Tracer study of GTTI graduates

Ongoing surveys of knowledge and skills among industry and rural builders

Government appointed committee to oversee implementation of recommendations on quality assurance

Curriculum reform to improve pertinence

Improved and sustainable

built environment

Progressive developmentof degree program inplanning and architecture

Participation in national conferences to evaluate 1988-2003 education plan and develop the 3rd education sector program (2004-2015) and in interface meetings between policy writers and readers



CAMEROON

National conference on teacher training

Participation in review of EFA plan

30% more practical content in programs

MALI

Studies NGO participationin education

Participation in development of PRODEC, 10-year education plan (1998-2008)

Increased dialogue between government and NGOs


What we are doing, where we are going

AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO RESEARCH

PART II


RESEARCHERS

Conduct

Research

Build

Capac

ityDisseminate

Findings

Feedback

use of findings in planning, promotion, implementation and evaluation of practices and policies

=

PUBLICS

Research → → Capacity CycleDialogue

PolicyPractice

Question


Transnational Studies 1990-2000

Review of education research 1960-1991 Benin Burkina Faso Cameroon Ghana Mali Sierra Leon Togo

Effects of community participation andaccess, retention and quality of basic education(financing, management, teaching, curriculum development, skills development)

Benin Burkina Faso Cameroon Cote d’Ivoire Gambia Ghana Mali Senegal Togo

Recherche opérationnelle sur la coopération en éducation de base

dans cinq pays de l’Afrique de l’Ouest Francophone : La

contribution des communautés à la prise en charge de l’école


Longitudinal studies show increasing quality and more Longitudinal studies show increasing quality and more visibility for African education research expertisevisibility for African education research expertise

1992 – 200211 countries

80 researchers, 35% women

Emerging Trends in Research on the Quality of Education

A synthesis of educational research

reviews from 1992-2002 in eleven countries of West and Central Africa

E R N W A C A

with support from ADEA

Pai Obanya Kathryn Touré

Preliminary Report October 2003

Bamako, MALI

Réseau Ouest et Centre Africain de Recherche en Education

Educational Research Network for West And Central Africa

ROCARE / ERNWACA • Tel: (223) 221 16 12 / 674 83 84, Fax: (223) 221 21 15 • BP E 1854, Bamako, MALI Bénin • Burkina Faso • Cameroun • Côte d’Ivoire • Gambia •Ghana • Guinée• Mali • Nigeria • Niger • Sénégal • Sierra Leon • Togo

www.rocare.org

1960 – 19917 countries


Table 6.1 : Comparative Analysis of Types of Research Documents Reviewed: 1960-1991 vs. 1992-2002

Percentage of Total research documents reviewed

Document Type 1960-1991

(for the Overlooked and Undervalued exercise)

1992-2002

(for this current review process)

Official government, institutional, conference reports

31% 50%

Academic papers (mémoire, dissertation, theses)

61% 31%

Published manuscripts 8% 19%


Quality of Education ($ US 106 000)1. 11-country literature review, 1992-2002($US 42 000); seek

to publish on emerging research trends and numerise best 200 studies reviewed

2. 10 Small Grants research projects, see summary of findings/recommendations ($US 64 000)

HIV/AIDS ($ US 91 000)1. Review of 75 research reports and policy documents

from 5 countries, upload to central Clearinghouse (US $

36 000) 2. Prepare national/thematic syntheses and transnational

study (US $ 55 000)

3. Funding required for transnational study

Integrated Approach: Examples


Integrated Approach: Examples

ICTs ($ US 325 000 for Phase I + partner budget)1. 2-yr-5-country study of 40 pioneer schools 2. Perspective: apply findings to development of teacher

training programs (US $ 3 to 5 million needed)

Decentralization1. Workshop to conceptualize study on inter-sectoral

lessons (November 2004)

2. Conduct transnational study


Integrating gender into the entire research process

More women researchers active (through affirmative action) and leading projects

Challenges Women more active in network management Gender sensitive research, gender analysis

PaysTotal

ResearchersM F

Strategy Session

Small Grants Handbook HIV/AIDSQuality of Education

ICT and Education

Other studiesConferences

etc.

Benin 17 7 1 5 0 0 16 7 1 1Burkina Faso 20 4 1 3 5 2 15 0 0 3Cameroun 11 4 1 3 0 3 10 7 1 1Cote d'Ivoire 11 7 1 5 1 2 7 0 5 2Gambia 7 5 1 2 0 3 6 0 4 1Ghana 12 2 1 4 1 3 3 3 1 1Guinea 6 1 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0Mali 15 6 1 4 0 0 4 8 7 3Niger 3 2 1 0 0 0 5 0 1 1Nigeria 7 3 1 4 0 0 4 0 0 0Senegal 12 6 1 4 0 3 6 5 1 1Togo 7 4 1 7 1 0 5 0 2 2

Total 179 128 51 12 46 8 16 81 30 23 16

average/country 15 72% 28%

Total Autres 41 32 9 7 6 10 3 1 16 0 0

GRAND TOTAL 220 160 60 19 52 18 19 82 46 23 1673% 27%

Member participation in ERNWACA research activities, 2001-2003


Perspectives

QUALITY PARTNERSHIPS

PART III


Analyzing Quality of Partnerships – tool in development

PARTNER/DESIRED QUALITY

P-01 P-02 P-03 P-04 P-05 P-06 P-07 TOTALover 35 possible

% of total possible

1 honesty and transparency 5 5 4 5 4 4 2 29 83%2 % of budget spent from (70%+) and off continent stated 4 4 4 5 5 3 4 29 83%3 joint decision-making 5 3 5 5 3 4 3 28 80%4 procedures help rather than hinder 5 5 4 3 4 4 2 27 77%5 connections to other partners 5 5 3 3 4 2 3 25 71%6 collaboration strengthens institution 5 5 4 3 3 2 3 25 71%

7 open & regular communication, active & responsive listening 3 4 5 3 3 2 3 23 66%8 good technical support/advice 4 4 4 3 2 3 3 23 66%9 balance between PROCESS and PRODUCT 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 23 66%

10 work leads to quality publications 3 5 4 3 3 2 3 23 66%11 joint accountability 4 4 4 4 2 3 2 23 66%

12 mutual learning, win/win situation 4 3 4 3 2 3 3 22 63%13 research data stays on continent 3 3 2 3 5 2 4 22 63%14 budgets appropriate and timely 4 4 3 3 3 3 2 22 63%15 member country needs come first, pertinent activities 5 3 3 4 3 2 2 22 63%16 collaborative formative evaluation, continuous improvement 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 21 60%17 medium to long term and strategic planning 5 3 4 2 2 2 2 20 57%18 stated partnership policy 4 2 2 3 2 2 2 17 49%

TOTAL RATING over 90 possible per partner (630 overall) 75 69 66 61 56 49 48 424

Average rating over 5 for each quality 4,2 3,8 3,7 3,4 3,1 2,7 2,7% of total possible 83% 77% 73% 68% 62% 54% 53% 67%


ERNWACA 2002 Dakar Strategy Session

Photo of Mamadou Ndoye at opening ceremony

Thanks for consulting researchers and supporting them


Areas for synergy with ADEA

1. Research on QUALITY: Volume II of Overlooked and Undervalued

2. Research on QUALITY: Second edition of Small Grants program + finalization action research handbook

3. POLICY DIALGOUE: Joint ERNWACA/ERNESA and ADEA bi-annual “Critical Perspectives Regional Seminar on Education”

4. ICT research quality: Scientific Committee member for ICT research

5. GENDER: Integrating gender into research processes (training workshops)


Internet addresses

www.rocare.orgto consult this presentation online

[email protected] subscribe to ERNWACA News /Nouvelles du ROCARE, sent by email in English and French to 1000 members/partners on and off the continent 4x/year