{The third Rwanda Research Roundtable (R3) reiterates the importance of using evidence to make policy, with a focus on education. Researchers came from different public institutions, universities, and NGOs, including the International Growth Centre (IGC), Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), and a private company (Laterite).}
From the presentations given by research experts, Marc van de Stouwe, director of UKAID’s Innovation for Education fund, showed there is a need to use evidence so that public policies may lead to development. He also explained that drawing on evidence helps to inform and persuade the public that whatever one intends to implement is indeed feasible and effective.
The researchers commented that innovation, and dissemination of best practice, is limited where headmasters/headmistress are equipped to train their own teachers. With this, the researchers highlight that Rwanda occupies a good position in terms of education, and that other countries can learn from the lessons emerging in Rwanda.
Sally Murray from the IGC said, “Rwanda is well-placed to make great improvements in its education system, because its policy-makers are committed to research-based policy and communicate their research needs clearly to the organisations that can help.”
This was emphasised by Kris Cox from IPA, who said that Rwanda is building the quality of its education, and increasingly looking to base policy on international and local evidence about what works.
Kris Cox said, “there are many examples from around the world that help us to understand whether specific policies to improve education quality are feasible and effective. Where there isn’t international evidence to draw on, Rwanda must innovate, but make sure to build strong monitoring and evaluation into its project design from the start, to ensure that lessons are learnt and resources are properly targeted in the future.”
One headmistress who attended the Rwanda Research Roundtable said, “there’s a need for the current education system to be different from the traditional. The world has become like a village, where a child can’t only remain in her own house. You cannot teach a child today in the way that you were taught. In order to raise her up to the global standard, you need to conduct research and get to know international best practices.”
The IGC and IPA provide free policy advice and research to support government initiatives for development. Laterite also offers research and policy advice in Rwanda, for a charge.
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