Project Summary

Phase One will identify priorities and provide evidence for the advocacy-oriented second phase. During Phase One, first-hand evidence will be sought about factors that inhibit implementation of equal education opportunity legislation at school level. Activities are divided into several groups:

(a) national surveys of school directors to discover their capabilities, values, attitudes, and practices;

(b) national surveys of parents needs, expectations and experience in regards of school efforts toward their engagement in school life; and

(c) action research to initiate new and document existing community-based initiatives that are successful in improving educational quality and inclusion.

All project activities will be based on a simple, but rigorous, framework that will be the same for all participating countries. A range of stakeholders (community leaders, teachers, students, parents) will be involved both in identifying issues and in taking action to address them.

Throughout the project, particular attention will be given to mobilizing and motivating young people to take an active role in combating education inequity, thus preparing the ground for a national regional youth movement to further the causes of inclusion and quality.

Phase One will end with a regional conference, to present and discuss results and make recommendations for the next phase.

Phase Two will design and carry out targeted programmes based on the findings of the first phase, in collaboration with national government and non-government organizations, OSI network programmes, and international partners.