Participatory Research in Three Countries: Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Lebanon

This report presents evidence relating to two main types of emergencies affecting education: natural disasters and communicable disease, and political conflicts. This review found that emergencies impact education in two main ways: endangering children’s wellbeing, and magnifying disparities in learning outcomes.

The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting closure of South Sudan’s schools in March 2020 exacerbated many of the challenges female learners face in pursuing an education. Research found that increased poverty, domestic care work, early and forced marriage, and teenage pregnancy would make it difficult for female learners to return to schools when they reopened in May 2021.

This analysis of the impact of remote learning is based on new and existing sources of data. The research team carried out a literature review; collected information from ministries of education (MoEs) through a questionnaire; organised focus groups with school principals and teachers, representatives of civil society organisations and other stakeholders; and interviewed representatives of organisations including parent teacher associations and student councils.

The Minimum Quality Standards and Indicators for Community Engagement are meant to serve as a guide for stakeholders to establish an enabling CE environment, in which community engagement is intentional, structured and at the core of sustainable development progress.