Teachers What can be done to improve quality Six ideas, drawing on studies in from Lesotho, Eritrea, The Gambia, Liberi

1. 1 TeachersWhat can be done to improve quality?Six ideas, drawing on studies in from Lesotho, Eritrea, The Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia and Zanzibar Aidan Mulkeen Africa Region, World Bank

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3. 3 2. Positive action for Maths and Science Possible Solutions Train more More places in training colleges Adjusting entry requirements to allow more to enter More use of diploma students? More use of general degrees (not ed specific) Booster courses for teachers Design booster courses to improve the basic mathematics and science skills, before they enter teacher training. In-service training for primary and secondary teachers. Booster actions at school Quality reforms, magnet schools, and science camps. Vicious Cycle Weak mathematics and science at primary school Avoidance, and poor performance at secondary school. Limited output of school leavers with mathematics and science Highly valued in the labor market Few available to enter teacher training. Teachers with weak mathematical and science understanding at primary and secondary schools.

4. 4 3. Teachers for rural schools MBENGWE Primary school, Blantyre Rural district, Malawi. 5 grades, 192 pupils Coincidence of shortages and unemployed teachers Disparities in Pupil Teacher Ratio Even bigger differences WITHIN districts Zambia, in Chibombo district: PTR ranges from 22 to 210. Best qualified in urban areas Uganda (Sec): In Kampala, 60% graduates, in Yumbe and Pader only 11%. Female teachers concentrated in the urban schools Incentives Can work if large and well targeted, but are expensive. The Gambia: new incentive 30-40% Choices Choice of district (Zambia), or school (Lesotho, Uganda) Target those who want to work in rural areas Mozambique/Malawi ADPP/DAPP Lesotho DTEP in service course Affirmative action in selection to teacher training.

5. 5 4. Reduce Teacher Absenteeism Absenteeism 20-25% absent A similar percentage �absent on the premises� Absenteeism higher among the more senior Causes Unavoidable � e.g. Illness Employer driven � workshops, salary collection Discretionary - other sources of income, etc. Monitoring In many cases, teachers are asked to sign in. But this is rarely compiled, analyzed Reducing the ministry initiated absence Pay distribution Upgrading courses � Gambia, policy that limits authorised absence Leadership at school level Monitoring has an impact Private schools / church schools The Gambia - cluster monitors Low stakes sanctions Liberia - a small fine for absent teachers at pay collection Community monitoring

6. 6 Quality: Grade 6 in a Community school Liberia

7. 7 5. Improve Quality of teaching

8. 8 6. Improve teacher career structure Existing career structures do little to retain staff Fixed salary scales. Limited salary growth (typically 15-20% over 10 years) Few opportunities to reward excellence Best opportunity for progression is often additional academic qualifications � often a perverse incentive. Upgrading often a stepping stone out of the profession. An alternative Induction period Different professional grades within the classroom Merit-based promotion to �senior teacher� Caution: risk of creating gatekeepers

9. 9 6 ideas 1. Plan for teacher supply 2. Positive action for Maths and Science 3. Teachers for rural schools 4. Reduce Teacher Absenteeism 5. Improve Quality of teaching 6. Improve teacher career structure