Ministry of Education leadership during crises: Lessons from research in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Jordan, Kenya, Madagascar, and South Sudan

Group Submission Type: Formal Panel Session

Proposal

In order to develop the evidence base on how Ministry of Education (MoE) leadership can be supported and strengthened to ensure equitable, quality education service delivery for all during crises, IIEP-UNESCO has partnered with the Centre for Comparative and International Research in Education (CIRE) at the University of Bristol (UoB) to inform policy dialogue between the key stakeholders involved in educational provision and decision-making in times of crisis, and to shape the research agendas and capacity development initiatives that aim to strengthen MoE leadership in crisis settings.

Although MoEs are the main duty bearers for education provision within their national jurisdictions, their agency is often constrained by various factors, including crises resulting from environmental and economic conditions, and political decisions by those in authority. Furthermore, in low- and middle-income countries, and particularly in the post-colonial contexts of the Global South, MoEs often work in partnership with external agencies which can provide a source of support on the one hand but can also potentially undermine the authority and leadership of government agencies.

This session draws on a wider review of empirical research on crisis-sensitive public service governance, and on three IIEP analyses (Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Jordan) to propose a complex systems perspective on educational leadership in postcolonial countries. Key to this model is a concern for endogenous leadership, by which we refer to leadership from within a particular national context, within in a wider environment which is marked by inequitable power relations between IGOs/INGOs headquartered in the Global North and those living and working in the postcolonial states of the Global South.

This session draws together key pieces of research on the topic of MoE leadership during different types of crises, including Covid-19, conflict and forced displacement, and natural hazards and the climate crisis. The session also seeks to learn from experience of working with MoEs to build capacity and ensure crisis response is sustainable. The session will identify opportunities that exist for MoEs to exercise leadership in the provision of equitable, quality education for all in times of crisis and to put forward recommendations for stakeholders. Based on empirical research as well as a review of IIEP studies on MoE leadership in crisis settings in three countries, this session will highlight common lessons for MoEs as well as for their humanitarian and development partners.

The first presentation, from IIEP-UNESCO’s Thalia Séguin, analyses factors that enable and constrain MoE leadership during crises in three countries: Burkina Faso, Jordan, and Kenya. This focuses on a sustained, long-term view of MoE leadership, examining primary MoE responsibilities before, during, and after crises. Research was based on a policy document review and semi-structured key informant interviews, and sets out policy recommendations on how to strengthen MoE leadership to ensure education continuity during crisis and more resilient education systems.

The second presentation, from Ann Gachoya, Deputy Director of the Kenyan MoE’s Directorate of Policy, Partnerships and East Africa Community Affairs, presents Kenya’s MoE response to Covid-19, including lessons learned for future crisis management in Kenya.

The final presentation, from IIEP-UNESCO’s Sébastien Hine, analyses MoE leadership in the early stages of crises, particularly their engagement within rapid response mechanisms. This draws on research from three country studies – Covid-19 in Ethiopia, forced displacement in South Sudan, and natural hazards and the climate crisis in Madagascar.

Sub Unit

• Education, Conflict, and Emergencies SIG

Chair

• Karen Mundy, IIEP-UNESCO

Individual Presentations

• Ministry of Education leadership and engagement during crises: Lessons from Burkina Faso, Jordan, and Kenya - Thalia Seguin, UNESCO IIEP

• Ministry of Education leadership during the Covid-19 Response in Kenya - Ann Gachoya, MOE EDUCATION

Discussant

• Leon P Tikly, University of Bristol