State of Effectiveness Research on Support to Children’s Education in Conflicts and Protracted Crises

This policy brief synthesises findings from a forthcoming review of effectiveness research on education interventions in conflict and protracted crisis settings. It outlines the types of effectiveness research available, the populations targeted, and the learning drivers and outcomes pursued. It shows that evidence of impact for education interventions remains limited in strength and scope and is virtually missing for interventions targeting youth. A case study presented then illustrates best practice in this research area, demonstrating the need for rigorous and disaggregated evidence to drive education impact that is (cost-)effective and equitable. The brief concludes with recommended actions to address the limitations identified in the current research landscape, including expansion of research on the impact of early childhood and youth education interventions, remote delivery methods, and strategies to maintain educational continuity during disruptions. Key recommendations also include mainstreaming the collection and analysis of costing data to assess cost-effectiveness, disaggregating data to support equitable interventions, and investing in robust causal research methodologies.