GI-ESCR co-hosted a workshop on research methodology on the issue of privatisation of education
On August 3, 2022, GI-ESCR participated in a hybrid CSO workshop on research methodology to monitor and respond to the growth of private actors in education. The event was co-organised by GI-ESCR and its partner Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) in Lagos, Nigeria.
The event gathered 28 online and 25 in-person participants.
The aim of the workshop was to increase CSOs’ knowledge on research methodology with a focus on data collection on the issue of privatisation of education, and to foster networking among like-minded CSOs.
Johnstone Shisanya, Programme Manager, Education Support Programme at East African Centre for Human Rights (EACHRights, Kenyan chapter), Musa Mugoya, Programme Officer, Right to Education at Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER, Uganda) and Anderson Miamen, National Coordinator of Coalition for Transparency and Accountability in Education (COTAE, Liberia) shared their experiences with regards to the methodology and tips applied, as well as some key dimensions considered when they conducted past research projects on private schools or on public-private partnerships in education.
The Executive Director of CAPPA, Akinbode Oluwafemi emphasised the importance for advocacy to be based on evidence gathered through research as it makes CSOs’ work credible.
The various contributions sparked fruitful discussions among participants on the issue of privatisation of education, especially within the Nigerian context.
A participant representing a Nigerian CSO, Education Right’s Campaign said: “Privatisation of education is an absurdity. It can’t work”.
Participants shared the lessons they have learnt from the workshop among which include, the steps to follow when conducting an action-research project and the need for researchers and education advocates to work together towards the realisation of the right to education for all.
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