1. kt/ERNWACA/January 2004 IDRC Regional Adisors’ meeting / Page 1 How can IDRC better incorporate education research in its programs? presented by Kathryn TOURE, Educational Research Network for West and Central Africa (ERNWACA / ROCARE) for Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Matrix Meeting of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) 20-22 January 2004 Dakar, Senegal

2. kt/ERNWACA/January 2004 IDRC Regional Adisors’ meeting / Page 2 INTRO: Research processes IDRC Advantages (grantee point of view) –Stakeholders identify research priorities –Works regionally, across national and linguistic borders –Fosters interdisciplinary collaboration –Has regional offices on the continent Need more IDRC support –Management of research, sharing best practices, learning networks –Publication (i.e. better knowledge management, better support for “closing the loop”)

3. kt/ERNWACA/January 2004 IDRC Regional Adisors’ meeting / Page 3 Outline Why education? African education statistics Education challenges Researchable issues Questions for small group discussions

4. kt/ERNWACA/January 2004 IDRC Regional Adisors’ meeting / Page 4 Why education? Empowers individuals to make personal and social choices Foundation for nation-building and development of democratic institutions Improves health Can encourage environmental responsibility Can contribute to sustained economic growth

5. kt/ERNWACA/January 2004 IDRC Regional Adisors’ meeting / Page 5 Africa education statistics Early childhood development Quality education for all Adult literacy Gender equality Click for one-page Word document: Africa education statistics in relation to international objectives for 2015 (set in 2000)

6. kt/ERNWACA/January 2004 IDRC Regional Adisors’ meeting / Page 6 Education challenges Quality of teaching, lack of teachers Equitable access, including girls/women Lack of materials Local languages as medium of instruction Pertinence of curriculum Reform implementation Overemphasis basic education (vs. secondary/higher, lifelong learning, non-formal, TEVT, etc.) HIV/AIDS Financing/management

7. kt/ERNWACA/January 2004 IDRC Regional Adisors’ meeting / Page 7 Who does the research? Ministries of education Bilateral, multilateral, UNICEF, UNESCO Regional/African institutions: ERNWACA, ERNESA, SACHES, SAQMEC, PASEC/CONFEMEN, ADEA Working Groups, CODESRIA EPSI/SADC, UEMOA+ECOWAS/CEDEAO

8. kt/ERNWACA/January 2004 IDRC Regional Adisors’ meeting / Page 8 Researchable issues, IDRC area of Environment and Natural Resource Management Integration of environmental issues into curriculum Biodiversity education

9. kt/ERNWACA/January 2004 IDRC Regional Adisors’ meeting / Page 9 Researchable issues, IDRC area of ICTs for Development ICTs to: –improve the quality of teaching and learning –train more teachers (distance education) –improve the quality of school management –build African research capacity and promote African expertise

10. kt/ERNWACA/January 2004 IDRC Regional Adisors’ meeting / Page 10 Researchable issues, IDRC area of Social and Economic Equity Civic education for good governance Education sector corruption Aid policy/practice HIV/AIDS impact / education response Decentralization, intesectoral lessons on women's empowerment

11. kt/ERNWACA/January 2004 IDRC Regional Adisors’ meeting / Page 11 Researchable issues, IDRC area of Trade, employment, competition –Transition from school to work –What education for greater national competitivity? –What human resources for Africa in 2020? in 2050?

12. kt/ERNWACA/January 2004 IDRC Regional Adisors’ meeting / Page 12 Questions for Small Groups What should the relationship be between IDRC strategy and pressing education issues on the African continent? Please identify key education research issues in relationship with IDRC program initiatives.