Africa Regional Education System Resilience Observatory
Building resilient education systems across Africa
Generating evidence and fostering collaboration to strengthen education systems in the face of adversity — from the classroom to national policy.
Research outputs
Reports, spotlights and briefs from ARESRO’s work across eight African sub-regions. New outputs are added as they are published; the digital repository holds everything.
Looking for RAN’s wider research, including the Resilience Innovation Lab policy briefs? Browse RAN publications →
Where ARESRO Is
Eight consortium members lead research across 42 countries in eight African sub-regions. Hover or tap a region to explore.
Evidence for education systems that can withstand shocks
Imagine a classroom in a remote village disrupted by a sudden flood, or a school in a bustling city grappling with a disease outbreak. Shocks like these can shatter the fragile foundations of education systems across sub-Saharan Africa, and they are becoming more frequent: public health emergencies, climate change, conflict, displacement and rapid technological change.
The Africa Regional Education System Resilience Observatory (ARESRO) exists to help education systems withstand these disruptions and keep children learning. One of six regional observatories under the GPE KIX Observatory on Education System Resilience Initiative, and led by MakSPH–ResilientAfrica Network with Link Community Development and the Resilience Research Centre at Dalhousie University, ARESRO examines how 42 African countries understand and build education system resilience, whether they reach marginalised learners, and what that means for policy and practice. Eight consortium members, each led by a regional university, drive the research on the ground.
To contribute to the improvement of education system resilience in GPE partner countries through evidence-informed programming, by understanding and anticipating challenges, developing effective mitigation strategies, and fostering collaboration so that all children have access to quality education, now and in the future.
Define and Analyze:
Conduct in-depth investigations into the conceptualizations and practical applications of education system resilience within GPE partner countries.
Anticipate and Evaluate:
Project the potential impacts of future shocks, stressors, risks, vulnerabilities, and capacities on education ecosystems and outcomes, using advanced foresight methodologies.
Develop and Implement:
Identify and champion innovative, effective approaches and strategic planning to proactively address future challenges, enhance resilience, and optimize education systems in GPE partner countries.
How we workOur approach and the four core strategies behind the evidence+
ARESRO combines rigorous research with collaborative engagement and capacity building across 42 GPE partner countries. We collect evidence through desk reviews, key informant interviews and stakeholder workshops, use foresight methods to anticipate future challenges and opportunities, and build a community of practice that connects researchers, policymakers and practitioners across Africa.
Context analysis
A thorough review of existing literature on education system resilience across all 42 GPE countries.
Formative assessments
Qualitative methods to understand stakeholder perceptions and experiences of education system resilience.
Foresight analysis
Systems mapping and predictive modelling to explore future trends and potential shocks.
Stakeholder engagement & knowledge mobilisation
Working with stakeholders to disseminate findings and influence policy.
News and Events
Resources
Project documents and media: our factsheets, capability statement and press coverage. Research outputs are above; the digital repository holds everything.
Our Partners
