The Challenge
Education is at a crossroads. After the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), global basic education goals are expected to shift beyond access to incorporate a greater focus on quality. However, achieving universal primary education itself remains a challenge, particularly in the context of projected population growth in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the number of out of school children. In addition there are daunting challenges beyond the basic level where a combination of low enrolment, low quality, and lack of relevance means the majority are leaving school without the skills they really need for work and life. Conventional public sector delivery mechanisms such as schools and universities alone will not be able to meet the enormous demand either administratively or financially. A significant funding shortfall has also been identified, and again, conventional forms of financing may not be sufficient to close the gap.
The Opportunity
Innovations are emerging which can improve the way educations systems operate for the poor. These include new products, methods, processes, incentives, and organizational innovations which can upgrade existing approaches or disrupt and potentially transform the way education is delivered. Results for Development Institute (R4D) is working with local partners to identify, analyze, and connect these innovations in low- and middle- income countries through its Centre for Education Innovations (CEI).
Additionally, R4D is at the forefront analyzing innovative financing strategies in education. Our experts combine deep operational and institutional knowledge of education programs and other development initiatives with thought-leadership on the mechanics of innovative financing, including results-based financing for health and education. In 2011, for example, we wrote the report of the Task Force on Education of the Leading Group for Innovative Financing in Education; we are currently advising the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) and the UBS Optimus Foundation (UBSOF) on the first ever Development Impact Bond to educate out of school girls in Rajasthan; we are also conducting a scoping study for the Global Partnership on Output Based Aid that explores opportunities for using OBA in the education sector. We have worked with a very wide range of DAC donors, new donors such as Qatar, foundations, and private investors in education.
