USAID's Strategic Framework for Basic Education in Africa

摘要

This paper describes USAID's strategic framework and provides guidelines for211u001edesigning, implementing, and evaluating basic education programs in Africa over 211u001ethe next decade. The last official guidance was published in 1988 when the Africa 211u001eBureau prepared a Basic Education Action Plan in order to respond to new 211u001eCongressional directives for programs in Africa in general and basic education in 211u001eparticular. The updated strategic framework and guidelines in this document 211u001ereflect Agency policy on development and build on the experiences and lessons 211u001elearned in Africa from 1988 to 1996. This framework is not a blueprint for 211u001especific interventions, nor does it provide detailed guidance on substantive 211u001eelements of a basic education program such as information systems development, 211u001etextbook procurement and distribution, or the assessment of classroom learning. 211u001eRather, it presents a strategic approach for supporting education reform, calling 211u001efor creative interpretation by USAID Missions in partnership with country 211u001egovernments, stakeholders, and other donors, and articulates the precepts that 211u001eshould inform USAID's investment in education in Africa. It defines parameters 211u001eand key issues to facilitate analysis and planning. It is a tool for designing, 211u001emanaging, and evaluating specific programs of USAID support. The Africa Bureau 211u001eintends this framework to be a work in progress, a platform for planning and 211u001eaction that itself will evolve. As research showing what works in basic education 211u001ebecomes available, as new agendas arise in response to changing economic and 211u001esocial contexts, and as operational breakthroughs or constraints become evident, 211u001ethese will be incorporated into this evolving strategic framework. The framework 211u001eis thus as much an invitation for contributions as a guide for working on basic 211u001eeducation in Africa.