What lies behind the increasing focus on data and evidence in discussions about the “learning crisis in education[i]” – and isn’t it a distraction from actually addressing the crisis itself ? Why too is this focus on data not always shared by ministries of education ?
A very good piece. All the right questions as well as some possible answers. It crystallises many of my own thoughts from 20 years in international education development. You start off thinking it’s all about the technical expertise we hopefully bring but gradually realise it’s mostly about the political and financial (and collaborative) as Andy helpfully adds).
In the spirit of ‘getting stuff done’ the next question for me is how to get a debate going with policy makers - starting at home this means FCDO and probably the Labour Party. Assuming they’re going to form the next UK government, can IED practitioners start engaging with them to convince them that a new modus operandi for education aid is needed?
While obviously it would be good to increase the overall level of aid, Andy’s argument is primarily about how aid funding is spent. Labour might be amenable to arguments about how aid can be made more effect without necessarily increasing spending in the short term.
A very good piece. All the right questions as well as some possible answers. It crystallises many of my own thoughts from 20 years in international education development. You start off thinking it’s all about the technical expertise we hopefully bring but gradually realise it’s mostly about the political and financial (and collaborative) as Andy helpfully adds).
In the spirit of ‘getting stuff done’ the next question for me is how to get a debate going with policy makers - starting at home this means FCDO and probably the Labour Party. Assuming they’re going to form the next UK government, can IED practitioners start engaging with them to convince them that a new modus operandi for education aid is needed?
While obviously it would be good to increase the overall level of aid, Andy’s argument is primarily about how aid funding is spent. Labour might be amenable to arguments about how aid can be made more effect without necessarily increasing spending in the short term.
Is there a new Clare Short in the ranks?