ADEA Biennale 2008 1 August 2018 ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa Session 4A: Extending Basic Education, Expanding Secondary Education: Governance and Policy Issues Extending Basic Education to include Lower Secondary Education, while simultaneously addressing the Quality Imperative Presenter: Dr. Pap Sey Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education Mamadou Ndoye

Problem statement - issues & obj. ADEA Biennale 2008 1 August 2018 ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa Problem statement - issues & obj. Access & Equity: Low enrolment rates, especially between regions, and inequitable distribution of educational services and resources Quality: Imbalance between access and ‘quality’ Structure:6-3-3 school system characterised by low mastery levels and about 40% pushed out due to inadequate secondary school places Policy: Pursuit of national objectives, universal basic education and the EFA Goals led to policy shifts and the ‘expanded vision of BE’. Objective: To examine the system and share the Gambian experience with others. Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education Mamadou Ndoye

Research methodology Context The Gambia: West African country, ADEA Biennale 2008 1 August 2018 ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa Research methodology Context The Gambia: West African country, with a population of approx. 1.5 million - More than 10 yrs of the expanding basic education to 9 yrs excluding pre-school years; school and management systems restructured; curricular reviews; huge investments; teacher education programmes revisited, etc. Desk review of policies, studies, reports, etc. in addition to a questionnaire administered to teachers, parents and the public Context, approach and characteristics Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education Mamadou Ndoye

ADEA Biennale 2008 1 August 2018 ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa Main results There appears to be a preference for the 6-3-3- system to the 9-3-3- system, possibly due to resentment of the automatic promotion of students (G1-9). The perception is that the curriculum is overloaded but responsive to stakeholder needs and prepares students for life both within and outside The Gambia. Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education Mamadou Ndoye

ADEA Biennale 2008 1 August 2018 Main results contd. The effective delivery of the curriculum by teachers is in question, which has far-reaching implications (for content/teacher performance/teacher disposition/teacher education, etc.). Attempts at providing quality education are perceived to be more genuine/substantial after the ‘expansion’ than before. Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education Mamadou Ndoye

ADEA Biennale 2008 1 August 2018 ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa Main lessons learned Political will is key to success, as challenges are enormous vis-à-vis inputs and processes. Popular participation and continuous sensitisation are crucial to earn public confidence. Examination and assessment mechanisms tend to lend credence to school systems. External support, community participation and school internal efficiency measures must complement one another. Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education Mamadou Ndoye

Main lessons learnt contd. ADEA Biennale 2008 1 August 2018 Main lessons learnt contd. Policy dialogue and formulation must be sufficiently participatory, and educational reforms require maximum stakeholder involvement at every stage. Establishing a unified national education system could have a crucial impact nationally (e.g., integration of the Madrassa curriculum with the conventional curriculum has contributed in boosting enrolment at the lower basic level in The Gambia). Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education Mamadou Ndoye

Conclusions: Main messages ADEA Biennale 2008 1 August 2018 ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa Conclusions: Main messages Policy option: The expansion, and effective provision, of quality basic education which includes lower secondary is the way forward. Learning achievement: Teacher education, deployment and utilisation for effective learning is a major challenge. Quality: Quality issues will have to be endlessly addressed, given that ‘education’ and the contexts for its provision are fluid and evolutionary. Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education Mamadou Ndoye

Conclusions: Main messages ADEA Biennale 2008 1 August 2018 Conclusions: Main messages Leadership: Reform successes may hinge on sound leadership and policies matched by appropriate and implementable strategies by all stakeholders/parties. Governance: Within the framework of the expanded vision of BE, a less bureaucratic and less centralised education system, with empowered governing bodies at various levels, may fair better than a traditional, centralised system. Resources: Support from funding agencies makes a HUGE difference, especially when aligned with the national plan(s) of the receiving country. Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education Mamadou Ndoye

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION ADEA Biennale 2008 1 August 2018 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education Mamadou Ndoye