In this podcast episode, we discussed with Adriana Jeannette Vogelaar about the challenges in the field of education in the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa). We talked about the structural challenges that face the education systems in the region before the pandemia and how the pandemia exacerbated them. How countries adapted to the COVID19 crisis? And what can we learn from field experiences on providing multiple pathways to learning, in a region where the schooling of millions of children has been interrupted by conflicts for decades? 

We also reflected on a few promising programs in the region, that try to change the rules of the game and the classroom experience for learners and teachers. In this regard, we mentioned a program in Palestine that support the use of active pedagogy in the classroom, the second chance model in Tunisia that provide a new track for the out-of-school to get back to education or professional training, and a program in Jordan operated by a private University (Luminous) that target youth employability and transition to work. 

In all those experiences, we highlighted a few factors of success such as the importance of local ownership, as well as a good analysis of the ecosystem and good fit into it. We also looked at the role of the international community in leveraging existing in-country opportunities and providing support to take promising initiatives to the next level. 

Part of this discussion deeply resonated with one of my earlier blogposts on the 5 things we can do better in the field of development, especially the points 4 and 5 on building ownership and learning from implementation.  

Comments and reactions welcome! 

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