IICBA believes that research is a critical part of building capacity because it provides an evidence base for defining priorities, informing implementation, assessing progress, facilitating development of innovative approaches, and evaluating the quality of activities.
IICBA commissions, conducts, and consolidates research work in the area of teacher education in Africa. Without an African-focused body of research, it is likely that many of the same mistakes made in the past in the area of teacher training will be repeated. The development of a research foundation on which teacher training initiatives will be based is also expected to assist countries and organizations to mobilize the necessary resources to meet the wide-ranging needs.
Further, the African education system, in particular African education institutions, must develop research skills so that all organizations involved in teacher education can play a role in conducting ongoing research. By commissioning research and setting up research teams composed of more and less experienced African researchers, IICBA will also contribute to the development of research capacity within Africa.
The overall goal of the research and advocacy programme is to conduct and commission research on teacher education and innovative approaches to education and to develop research expertise on teacher education in Africa.
Under the Research and Advocacy Programme, there are two ongoing projects:
Mutigrade Education
Technical Papers Series
Programme 2: Research and Development
Sub-programme 1: Research on Teacher Issues
Activities:
2.1.1 Assessment of Teacher Education Policies and Programmes from Gender Perspective
2.1.2 Development of Teachers for Early Childhood Care and Education
2.1.3 Studies on Effectiveness of Alternative Teacher Training Programmes
2.1.4 Science, Mathematics and Technology Education (SMTE)
2.1.5 Studies on Teacher Policy Development and Implementation
Sub-programme 2: Publications on Teacher Education and Development
Activities:
2.2.1 Series on Fundamentals of Teacher Education Development
2.2.2 Policy briefs
2.2.3 Technical papers
Sub-programme 3: Dissemination of Research Output
Activities:
2.3.1 Policy dialogue and advocacy
2.3.2 Development of training packages and programmes
2.3.3 Translations of publications and training materials into Arabic, English, French, and Portuguese