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 Parallel session 6B: Skills Development in General Education The Link Between Health, Social Issues, and Secondary Education Life Skills, Health and Civic Education Presenter: Guro Nesbakken, Education Adviser, Save the Children Norway ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

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 Area of concern: Does secondary education hold a potentially crucial role in preparing youth with skills and knowledge to live healthy lives, and enable capacity to contribute to development of their societies? What promising practices exist in six African countries to draw lessons from (data by 2003?) ? ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

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 Why health and social issues in general secondary education in Africa? Secondary schools important organized social arenas for the transformation of children into adulthood –what is the potential for impacting on how individuals relate to self and to others and take on their role in the community, with rights and duties connected to their new status? Country contexts are characterized by complex problems, scarce resources, and cross-relational causes and effects between education, health (not least HIV/AIDS), and nutrition. Poor health and nutrition affects learning and school attendance, and limited access to school reduce access to health-related knowledge. ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

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 A study to examine: Effective provision of information on health issues, civics and life- skills Learning programs which increase participation and reduce dropout rates Teachers as agents in tackling health issues, sexual education and promotion of civic values ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

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 Research design and process: North-South/South-South collaboration Literature survey and ’state of the art’ paper Clarifying concepts; research design; instruments etc 6 in-country teams: Eritrea, Mali, Namibia, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania Site reports ->country reports ->final synthesis report World Bank review 2007: World Bank Working Paper #100 ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

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 Key results: Negative findings…  Lack of large-scale, integrated national programs  Lack of institutionalization of policies and practices  Limited evidence of coherent policies  Curriculum often not being used coherently  Teachers’ not always the most appropriate: ‘host’ subjects, religious/ethical objections, personal and sensitive issues  Programs to reach out-of-school youth not prominent  Hard to establish long-term impact, actual changed health behavior  Few reliable evaluations available (data by 2003) ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

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 Positive findings: promising practices emerged where...  School activities were related to national policies  Integration with school curricula was achieved  Effective leadership at different levels  High level of collaboration: intra- and inter-sectoral  Youth had ownership and participation  Peer group training and involvement was prominent  NGOs were active partners  Linkages with local communities and culture had been achieved ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

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 Cont’d: promising practices emerged where...  Holistic approach  Appropriate teachers were identified, sensitized and trained  Appropriate materials were available  Extra - curricular activities (clubs/drop- in centres) were common  Funding was secure  Evaluation and monitoring were carried out ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

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 Main lessons learned:  Multifaceted initiatives for interrelated issues  Systemic and relational thinking  Cross-sectoral response, coordination, management and collaboration  Deep analysis – relationships, what brings about change in attitudes and behavior?  Integrated, mainstreamed curriculum  Visionary leadership – and leadership dev’t? ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

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 Key actors/movers:  MoE: develop policies, create mechanisms to sustain funding/support structures. Involve other Ministries?  Teachers as change agents –or –as part of problem?  Interactive, participatory learners, youth involvement, peer education – and adult support  NGOs as important actors, rights and responsibilities  Community members’ collective resourcefulness utilized and enhanced  National leadership; prominent persons; media; create enabling environment ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

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 Concluding on key prominent issues: 1)Commitment and readiness of wide range of people to address huge challenges, much existing capacity to draw on 2)Young people themselves seeking solutions and contributing their ideas and energies 3)Important role of NGOs, CBOs and larger community 4)Vital to create “signposts” to help Ministries, teachers, pupils and civil societies address pressing health and other social challenges through education ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

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 So, lastly: This study exemplifies that valuable work is ongoing, demonstrating important aspects, approaches and challenges. Appropriate attention to, and integration of, health and social issues into general education and structures, is of vital importance, and success in this area will have large and crucial societal benefits. ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

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 ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa Thank you for your attention! This study is published: World Bank Working Paper #100 Africa Human Development Series “The Link Between Health, Social Issues, and Secondary Education Life Skills, Health and Civic Education” R.Smith, G.Nesbakken, A.Wirak, B.Sonn ISBN: