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Category: Region

Matt, Salimah, BSC Fellows and Assistants holding the PDIA in Action book

The Power of Listening: The Beginning of our PDIA journey in Malawi

Malawi group photo

Guest blog written by: Lindiwe Chide, Joan Keaney-Bray, Grace Milner, Martha Sineta, Joshua Valeta, Arianna Zanolini Our Malawi team of six just ended a 12-week journey into Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) for Education through the Harvard Executive Education Course. We were a group of Directors at the Ministry, a District Education Manager, and two…Continue Reading The Power of Listening: The Beginning of our PDIA journey in Malawi

Underperformance in Schools in the Port Loko District of Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone Team working

Guest blog by Zacharia Bangura, Foday C Kalokoh, Kabiru Mansaray, Miriam Mason, Ibrahim Kanu, Rugiatu Alimatu Kamara This has been a real learning journey, where there are opportunities to test theories and put them into practice, review and revise, try again and after as many iterations as needed to get set for scale up.   Small…Continue Reading Underperformance in Schools in the Port Loko District of Sierra Leone

Breaking down the Youth Unemployment Challenge in Kenya

A busy city street in Kenya

Guest Blog by Maureen Gitata, LEG ’22 I have found this course to be invaluable in teaching new approaches to economic development challenges, that ensure that the root cause/systemic challenges of issues have been addressed. My favorite course takeaways include:…Continue Reading Breaking down the Youth Unemployment Challenge in Kenya

Learning, Relearning and Building Small Team Influence: Navigating Complex Education System Problems in Zambia

A piece of chalk on shelf of chalkboard

Guest blog by Amosi Chipasi, Agness Mumba-Wilkins, Besnart Simunchembu, Cornelius Chipoma, Laura Brannelly and Mutinta Kawina After 12 weeks of participating in the Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) course conducted by the Building State Capability (BSC), the ‘Aspiring Ants’ Team reflects on a learning journey that has provided great insights on how a small team…Continue Reading Learning, Relearning and Building Small Team Influence: Navigating Complex Education System Problems in Zambia

Using PDIA to Tackle Educational Inequalities in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas in Kenya

Books in a library

Guest blog written by: Frederick Haga, Ezra Mwiti Manyara, Lydia Njoki Muchemi, Rosaline Muraya, John Ochieng, Evelyn Owoko. The national primary level education outcomes mask disparities based on gender, location and socio-economic factors (National Education Sector Strategic Plan 2018-2022). Children from households classified as poor, those from Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) and urban poor…Continue Reading Using PDIA to Tackle Educational Inequalities in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas in Kenya

Why are Students not achieving the Foundational Reading and Mathematics Skills in Rwanda?

Rwandan team collaborating

Guest blog by Dr. Flora Mutezigaju, David Mugabo, Emmanuel Niyomana Mico, Gervais Mabano, Valens Ngaboyera, Ntaganira Jean de Dieu Rwanda aspires to become an upper-middle-income country by 2035, and a high-income country by 2050. Her development agenda is centered on prosperity and high-quality standards of life for all Rwandans. The realization of this vision is…Continue Reading Why are Students not achieving the Foundational Reading and Mathematics Skills in Rwanda?

Not Enough Time is Spent on Quality Teaching in Ethiopia

Children in village in Ethiopia

Guest blog written by Alemu Tesfaye, Gebre Negash, Nisha Makan, Tamene Keneni, Teshager Mersha, Yeshitla Mulat PDIA is an innovative approach to problem-solving and capacity building that involves frequent iteration and reflection. Such iterative and reflective process allows teams and individuals to move back and forth and correct and learn from mistakes. It also helps…Continue Reading Not Enough Time is Spent on Quality Teaching in Ethiopia

Treading the Path to Better FLN Outcomes in Punjab, India

PDIA in Education, India Team zoom screenshot

Guest blog written by: Jasmine Dhingra, Sunil Sharma, Nitin Sharma, Isha Shingte, Gurtej Singh In one of the very first individual assignments during the PDIA for Education Systems course, we learnt about 1804 challenges – ‘How would it be like to travel from one part of the country to another in the year 1804?’ Building…Continue Reading Treading the Path to Better FLN Outcomes in Punjab, India

Early Childhood Care and Education in Punjab, Pakistan

Pakistan team group photo

Guest blog by Atique ur Rehman, Ayesha Husain and Zobia Khan Context It has been witnessed that high quality early years childhood education significantly impact the economy and society. The benefits of quality early years education  aid in children’s development of cognitive, language, numeracy, and motor skills, which prepares them for entry into primary school….Continue Reading Early Childhood Care and Education in Punjab, Pakistan

Increased Youth Unemployment Deteriorates Societies and Hinders Economic Growth in Papua New Guinea

PNG group photo with one participant pointing at white board

Guest blog written by Ferdinand Aimatuk, Tau Hera, Pauna Kule, Rhoda Maiyeh, Obeth Singol, Slyney Tau  Our key learning throughout the 12 weeks of the Problem Driven Iteration and Adaptation (PDIA) program is the systematic process of solving complex problems. It is a new perspective of problems solving which has changed the way most of…Continue Reading Increased Youth Unemployment Deteriorates Societies and Hinders Economic Growth in Papua New Guinea