Promoting equitable learning in fragile and conflict-affected contexts in the Sahel region: a cross-national analysis

• In Event: Roundtable Session 9
  In Refereed Roundtable Session: Structural inequality and education: policy, crisis, and representation

Proposal

This panel will focus on three Sahelian countries in West and Central Africa (Burkina Faso, Niger and the Central African Republic) to present a cross-national analysis of the social and cultural factors that have led to the current protracted conflict situation and their educational implications. It will also introduce the homegrown and imported innovations being tried to mitigate the devastating impact on educational development in the three countries. The GPE KIX Africa 21 hub will then introduce how it supports these countries in institutionalizing innovations in policy and planning, as well as their adaptation to other contexts in the region in terms of replicability. In so doing, the hub will present its uptake facilitation approaches.The Sahel region, of which almost all countries are members of the KIX Africa 21 hub, currently has nearly 12 million out-of-school children because of the closure of over 3393 schools. In addition to the COVID-19 health crisis, armed conflicts linked to the rise of violent extremism have also hindered access to quality education (Alliance Sahel, 2021). These very concerning figures call on Sahelian states and governments for a strong and sustainable political commitment at all levels to transform educational systems.
The GPE KIX Africa 21 hub, launched in 2020, seeks to strengthen the educational systems of 21 French and Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa by facilitating knowledge sharing, innovation, capacity building, and support for educational public policies. In line with GPE and IDRC principles, the hub has also made gender equality and equity key concerns to ensure that the positive impact of its endeavors is equitably redistributed across vulnerable and marginalized groups in society.
Three presentations will be made: 1. Presenter: Hamidou Boukary, International Research Centre, IDRC-CRDI
Title: A cross-national analysis of the social and cultural factors that have led to the current situation and their educational implications.
This presentation will highlight the social and cultural structures in Burkina Faso, Niger, and the Central African Republic—including historical grievances, intergroup dynamics, governance models, and cultural norms—that have contributed to conflict situations and the weakening of education systems;2. Presenter : Ina-Aissatou SANO or Emmanuel Béché (TBD), Consultant, GPE KIX Africa 21
Title: A critical analysis of the homegrown and imported responses (innovations) being tried in the three countries to mitigate the devastating impact on educational development
This presentation will critically assess the specific educational innovations implemented in Burkina Faso, Niger, and the Central African Republic to mitigate the effects of conflicts on education; 3. Presenter: Maïmouna SISSOKO TOURE (KIX Africa 21 Hub)
Title: The role of national policy dialogues supported by the Africa 21 Hub for policy uptake and institutionalization.
This presentation will analyze the specific mechanisms of national policy dialogues organized or facilitated by KIX Africa 21, which aim to integrate evidence-based innovations.

Authors

• Maïmouna SISSOKO TOURE, IFEF OIF

• Ina-Aissatou Sano, IFEF OIF

• Hamidou Dodo Boukary, International Development Research Center