During the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of health program implementors and research analysts across seven low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) alongside Boston-based collaborators convened to implement data-driven approaches for public health response. An intensive statistics and data science training short course was developed to ensure that…

In 2015, one in every two primary aged refugee child was missing out on primary education, and three in every four had no access to secondary education. The five least developed countries in the list of top 10 refugee hosting countries in the world in 2016 were all Global Partnership for Education (GPE) partners: Democratic Republic of Congo…

The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) is a global, multi-stakeholder partnership that seeks to strengthen education systems in low- and lower-middle-income countries and in countries affected by fragility and conflict to ensure equitable, quality education for all. GPE plays a unique role in helping governments to develop and finance the…

An estimated 274 million primary school children in low and middle income countries are not learning the basic foundational skills necessary to lead productive and healthy lives. The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) is committed to improved and more equitable student outcomes, and has framed this as goal 1 of its strategic plan for…

Sierra Leone, a country the size of South Carolina on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, was once known as the "Athens of West Africa." Today, the Republic is recovering from a 10-year war that ended in 2002. When the author, Alusine Kanu, who holds a doctorate of arts in community college education from Virginia's George Mason University…

The purpose of this paper is to review current issues in pre- and primary school reform and to pose questions on the long-term implications of present day solutions. Such an exercise will open up discussion on the probable effects of educational policy decisions with a view to minimize negative effects brought on by new policies. Because data…

In post-war contexts, education is widely regarded as essential not only for civic reconciliation, but also as a key force for gender equity. In Sierra Leone, however, despite enhanced educational opportunities for girls, much of the emphasis on post-war educational reconstruction is unlikely to rectify gender inequities that remain entrenched…

Sierra Leone is currently emerging from a brutal civil war that lasted most of the 1990s, and now has the dubious distinction of being ranked among the world's poorest countries. As thousands of displaced people move back to their villages, a large proportion of the predominantly farm-based rural population are growing food crops for the first…

Indigenous knowledge is vital information that is sadly diminishing at an alarming rate in Sierra Leone. There is, therefore, an urgent need to collect it before much of it is completely lost. This article explores the concept of indigenous knowledge and indigenous knowledge systems with a particular focus on Sierra Leone. Definitions and…

A variety of articles address the use of communications in development, including (1) "Policy Considerations in Global Telecommunications" (Sandra Lauffer); (2) "Sharing Information for Rehabilitation in the Third World" (M. Miles); (3) "Growing More Rice in Sierra Leone: Baseline Survey Guides Media Campaign" (Gary…

This book is a report on, and a comparative analysis of, the experiences in vocational and technical education of twenty-three developing countries. Following the introductory section, the second chapter presents brief summaries (schematic presentations) of the educational systems in each of the countries. Focusing on policy, planning, and…

Describes the new primary and secondary-level science curriculum in Sierra Leone as well as new teacher roles and instructional approaches. Indicates that curricular changes in this country should address needs related to job opportunities, the environment, and citizenship. Results of 1972-80 secondary-level biology, chemistry, and physics…

A content analysis of primary school readers of Sierra Leone revealed that the particular modern and traditional normative aspirations expressed in the National Development Plan for 1974/75-1978/79 were also generally reflected in the children's readers. (Editor)

This report on the International Seminar on Campaigning for Literacy at Udaipur, India is divided into three main parts. Part 1 describes the context and background of the seminar, its specific objectives, and the organization and procedures of the seminar. Part 2 provides an overview of the seminar proceedings. The inaugural statements are…

Includes five articles that discuss library and information work in Africa. Highlights include computerization in Nigerian libraries; education for library and information services in Ghana; an evaluation of African librarianship; the role of Nigerian publishers in national development; and the role of information services in national development…