Projects / PDIA for Education Systems

PDIA for Education Systems

We have been exploring how the PDIA methodology can help build capability to improve the implementation of education policies and programs.

Project Team

Matt Andrews, Salimah Samji, Anisha Poobalan, Ana Rocio Romero, Najwa Maqbool

Project Dates

September–December 2022

BSC developed a custom PDIA for Education Systems online action learning program for Education Development Trust (EDT), funded by United Kingdom’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

The goal of this program was to build the capability to improve foundational learning outcomes through practical action-oriented work. 56 education practitioners across 9 country teams from Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Malawi, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Zambia, participated in this program from September to December 2022.

All participating countries had a senior level authorizer (Director General, Permanent Secretary, Special Secretary) and a team of 4-6 members from their ministry or department of education and a few partners from NGOs, research institutions, as well as FCDO advisors. Over the period of twelve weeks, they learned about solving complex problems using PDIA, working in teams, leadership, communication, authorization, and time management.

The teams worked on the following problems:

Ethiopia: Not Enough Time is Spent on Quality Teaching
India: Foundational Learning Outcomes are not being met in Punjab
Kenya: Low learning outcomes in the arid and semi-arid (ASAL) regions in Kenya
Malawi: 87% of Children in Malawi are not effectively acquiring basic foundational skills
Pakistan (Punjab): Teachers are unable to support students in early childhood education
Pakistan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa): Low learning outcomes in Primary Schools
Rwanda: Low student performance in early grades
Sierra Leone: Low foundational skills and learning outcomes in Port Loko district
Zambia: Effective teaching is not taking place in the classroom

Program Feedback

96%

Rated the program as very or extremely useful

98%

Rated it as professionally useful

98%

Rated it as personally useful

Participant Testimonials

“The course has changed the way I solve problems and interact with my colleagues and superiors at work in implementing programmes.”

Participant

“The idea of small teams collaborating to support a policy change process is the most compelling lesson I have learned. Second, the idea of legitimizing action by engaging different players is helpful. The implied idea in PDIA of the importance of the ‘agency of many’ is really helpful.”

Participant