Executive director

What we do

The quest for the improvement of education quality has been recognised as one of the most significant challenges facing the South African government, and is regarded as “a national priority that requires involvement and engagement throughout all levels of our society” (Minister of Education, August 2005). Improving the quality of education is particularly critical to ensuring that the learning needs of the disadvantaged are met, and for providing pathways for families and communities out of poverty.

To contribute to addressing this challenge, the HSRC established the Centre for Education Quality Improvement (CEQI) in 2006. The primary purpose of CEQI is to support government and other key role-players (teachers, parents, learners, NGOs, donors) enhance decision-making processes for implementing relevant and effective strategies to improve education quality at all levels of the system. It is a high-level, cross-cutting initiative of the HSRC to contribute to eradicating poverty in South Africa through enhancing evidence-informed policy dialogue for tackling policy challenges to improve education quality in South African schools, particularly for poor and marginalised learners. 

Objectives
The primary objectives of CEQI are to:

• develop relevant policy options that are costed and have demonstrated impact for improving education quality, particularly for the poor and disadvantaged  learner
• undertake policy-relevant research to enable and support policy-makers and key stakeholders at all levels of the system, make informed and evidence-based decisions about effective strategies for improving education quality
• engage in evidence-informed policy dialogue processes among different stakeholders, to share and disseminate information and ideas about good practice to improve the quality of education in South Africa
• facilitate the exchange of local and international experts and decision-makers working in the field of education quality

These objectives emerge from extensive discussion with various national and international stakeholders, as well as the key education quality improvement priorities identified, which include improving reading and writing in schools, developing indicators for local role-players to monitor the performance of schools, and determining the impact of free education on quality of education.

Approach and research priorities
To enhance its contribution, CEQI adopts:

• a systems approach that recognises the inextricable links between the technical, cultural and political factors in determining the effectiveness of programs and policies for improving education quality in South Africa
• an evidence-informed policy dialogue approach to maximise consensus among key stakeholders on strategies for improving the quality of education in South Africa

For 2007 to 2012, CEQI will further intensify and consolidate policy-relevant research with respect to education quality in the following ways:

• conducting a policy-relevant five-year study on the use of assessment to contribute to decision-making that enhances learning and teaching in South African classrooms
• facilitating the implementation of an integrated and effective assessment system that provides relevant and timely information to role-players at the different levels of the system, to enhance learning
• piloting a systems model - 'AQEE to improve learning', based on the policy goals of Access, Quality, Efficiency and Equity with associated indicators, for use in monitoring the functioning of the education system
• undertaking policy research to contribute to a deeper understanding of key strategies and mechanisms to improve the quality of education in South African schools
• hosting of policy-relevant symposia, colloquia and dialogue forums, based on ongoing research
• disseminating policy-relevant research in the form of policy briefs, newspaper articles, books, and journal articles
• providing a number of fellowships to draw upon relevant local, regional and international expertise and experience

Developing research networks and capacities
CEQI regards the development of networks and research capacity amongst researchers, practitioners, research students and policy makers as a core priority of its work. To this end, short or long term research fellowships are available for experienced national, regional and international role-players to enhance and deepen the knowledge base about education quality. CEQI research fellows will be actively involved in the ongoing work of CEQI, and will also have the opportunity to pursue independent research in the field of education quality.

CEQI, as part of its research capacity remit, provides South African master's and/or PhD students the opportunity to become research interns. Research interns will benefit from spending time in a unit focused on developing the evidence base, to inform relevant policy and practice to improve the quality of education in South Africa.

For additional information, contact Dr A Kanjee