Request for Best Practices

Using the framework of the eight areas of investment listed befow, AGAG is issuing a Request for Best Practices (RBP) to solicit case study examples of best practices and lessons learned in supporting education in Africa.  On March 25, 2010 AGAG will host a meeting of education funders in New York where selected examples will be presented and discussed.  We are inviting case study examples to include as part of the agenda and background materials for the meeting.

For background information the IROKO Education Project and the scan conducted for best practices in education, please download the Education in Africa Scan.

Guidelines

As part of the IROKO Education Project, AGAG is seeking case study examples in one of the following eight areas of education investment in Africa:

1. technical assistance
2. synthesis, analysis, and dissemination of best practices
3. technology to assist with knowledge sharing
4. teacher professional development
5. access for special populations, particularly girls
6. resources and text books
7. the inclusion of HIV/AIDS in the curriculum and system models
8. strengthening the “Brain Gain” (Brain Gain refers to efforts to keep individuals/nationals with technical or academic qualifications in their countries by giving them career support and opportunities to establish themselves.)

Criteria for Best Practice

The case study should answer the following questions:

1. What was the outcome sought (the goal) and how did you reach it (practice)? 
2. What was the timeframe from start to project completion, or for data outcomes?
3. Why should this example be termed a best practice?
4. If a best practice outcome was not obtained, what was the “lesson learned” that will aid in reaching the outcome sought?
5. Identify the cross-cutting principles that were a part of this case; Cross-cutting principles that should be a part of every best practice include:

• Human Rights
• Equitable access to technology
• Accountability
• Collective responsibility,
• Collaboration, to include public-private partnership
• Realistic timeframes for implementation within context

Submissions

Submission should follow the criteria for best practice listed above and the submission must be in a word or rtf document format no longer than five pages.  Case study should be presented in a concise format using bullets that can be easily converted to power point presentation. Submissions should be sent via email to nmutima (at) agag.org as a word, RTF or text format. 

The deadline for submissions for inclusion at the March 25, 2010 meeting is March 12, 2010.

For further information contact Niamani Mutima at nmutima (at) agag.org