July 24, 2020

“Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” — Marie Curie

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Country Updates

Kenya:

RELI Kenya convened their first ever virtual conference in July 2020 with members from Uganda, and Tanzania joining the three-day meeting themed learning amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The learning sessions provided an opportunity for participants to share their innovations under the 'new normal' as the education sector grapples with the impact of the pandemic on learning. P articipants explored post-COVID scenarios and identified innovations that can be applied to support learning during the pandemic. Participants deliberated on innovations and spaces of participation where members could contribute to the continuity of learning during the extended school closure period as well as a re-opening plan. It was agreed that RELI should commission a regional study of the innovations going on during COVID-19 and potential opportunities for collaboration. This study will be commissioned by the MEL team (Andiwo Obondoh, Pita Magara and Ken Oulu), Maurice Mutisya, John Mugo, Benta Abuya, Catherine Asego, and the Well Made Strategy team.  Panelists from different units of the education sector; Mutheu Kasanga (National chair, Kenya Private Schools Association, Kahi Indimuli (Chairman, Kenya Secondary School Heads Association), Nkrumah Mauncho, (President, Holistic Educators in Africa and the Diaspora), Peter Sitienei (Chairman, Kenya Special School Heads Association) shared their insights on the ongoing learning crisis and possible solutions to aid learning.

On July 13, the Global School Leaders and Dignitas facilitated the Special Interest Group session on school leadership. This session looked into the role of school leaders during and post COVID-19 school closure. It also identified competencies necessary for school leadership and how participants could support this skill acquisition.

Uganda: On July 15, The Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER) initiated an E– dialogue aired nationwide via NBS television to discuss the status of learning during COVID-19, inequalities arising in the education sector as a result of the pandemic, and the applicability of the lessons learnt from the pandemic in its aftermath. The discussants, Mr. Kyaka Alfred (Assistant Commissioner, Secondary Education), Ms Sophie Nampewo (Budget Specialist), Salima Namusobya, (ISER) and Goretti Nakabugo (RELI Uganda) shared their perspectives on lessons learnt from the pandemic for inclusive and sustainable quality education delivery post COVID-19. The introduction of accelerated learning programmes, establishment of learner progress levels to ensure that learners are learning at the right level, introduction of catch up and remedial programmes, investment in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), Vocational Education as well as implementation of regulatory and standardization measures for quality purposes are some of the policy recommendations made. The Commissioner also called for self- empowerment of learners in resilience and other life skills alongside continual parental engagement.

RELI members from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania are currently participating in the Human Centered Design training, a component of the Schools 2030 programme designed to enable members conceptualize innovative solutions to the current education reality in our context as organizations with the end-users in mind. The knowledge gained could also be applied to other challenges beyond the current realities. The interactive and collaborative training, is to be delivered over a 12-week period and is coordinated by colleagues from the Schools 2030 team at the Aga Khan Foundation.

What we're reading this week: Kenya: Why State settled for January 2021 school reopening date by Daily Nation Uganda: In African nations, it's doubly hard for kids to distance-learn by The Christian Science Monitor Uganda: Schools to remain closed as government embraces e-learning by Daily Monitor Tanzania: How to Fix the Gap Between Education and Employment by The Citizen Back to business at the Airport - Tips by BCD Travels Covid-19 Webinar series

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