Learning What Matters in 10 Global South Contexts: Reflections from The Network for Education Systems Transformation

• In Event: Co-Producing Knowledge for Systemic Change: Collaborative Research for Education Transformation in a Divided World

Proposal

The Network for Education Systems Transformation (NEST) is a global coalition of 11 civil society organizations engaged in co-creating contextually grounded evidence and tools to drive systemic education reform. Since late 2023, NEST has undertaken exploratory, collaborative research across ten countries to investigate how education systems are supporting children and young people in learning what matters. Framed by the guiding question which is, “How well are education systems creating opportunities for children and young people to learn what matters?' this research examines the enabling and constraining conditions for systemic transformation. Central to the inquiry are the "3 Cs" of transformation: commitment, capacity, and cohesion among system actors. This paper represents the preliminary findings of this study and highlights the pivotal role of context in shaping the success of education reforms, suggesting that transformation is most effective when driven by locally relevant, iterative practices. This report also synthesizes emerging insights into how diverse systemic factors interact to influence the development of a breadth of skills in learners, providing evidence to inform more relevant and inclusive education strategies.

Author

• Modupe Olateju, The Brookings Institution