schooling - The African Mirror

Sep

2021

Children learn in class, and outside. But, over time, they learn more at school

SCHOOL is a key component of our societies. In school, children learn to read and write. And being able to read is meant to help people of all ages to think at a higher level and make their lives better. SYMEN A. BROUWERS, Extraordinary Research Scientist, North-West University It is not surprising that literacy is thus an important goal for global development agencies. The “multiplier effect” of literacy is believed to empower people, enabling them to participate in society and improve their livelihoods. The truth is, learning basic skills such as solving arithmetic problems at school doesn’t necessarily make you…

May

2021

By The African Mirror

Conflict kills education: Rwandan experiences show how lost years can be recovered

EDUCATION

HUMANITARIAN situations, especially protracted violent conflicts, are a serious barrier to accessing education. This is why, for 30 years, aid practitioners have been advocating for “Education in Emergencies”. The idea is to try to ensure “the right to education in emergencies and post-conflict reconstruction”. MIHO TAKA, Assistant Professor, Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University But violent conflicts pose significant challenges to deliver education in emergencies. For instance, in Rwanda, schooling rapidly deteriorated when the 1990 civil war began. Schooling came to a complete stop in April 1994 and reopened again in September 1994. By this time the…

May

2021

By The African Mirror

Kids with a desk and a quiet place to study do better in school, data shows

EDUCATION

ASK what students need to learn at home, and the answer often involves access to Wi-Fi or a digital device. For example, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 sets aside US$7.1 billion to support access to high-speed internet for schools and libraries. DAVID RUTKOWSKI, Associate Professor of Education Policy, Indiana University DIRK HASTEDT, Executive Director IEA, Indiana University What often gets overlooked is whether kids have a desk at home or a quiet place to study. As researchers who focus on education policy and how students perform on standardized tests, we decided to take a closer look – on…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Why community participation in schooling is struggling in Nigeria: a view from the ground

EDUCATION

NIGERIA has more out-of-school children than any other country in the world. Around 10.5 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 are not in school. MÁIRÉAD DUNNE, Professor of Sociology of Education, University of Sussex SARA HUMPHREYS, Visiting Research Fellow, University of Sussex A key government strategy to get more children into school, and improve school quality, is to increase parental and community participation. Parental and community involvement in various aspects of schooling – ensuring that children go to school, contributing cash or labour to construct classrooms, and participating in school management –- is part of a more…