Towards Sustainable Impact: Tools to Strengthen Teaching in the Pacific

While education enrolment continues to increase, concerns about quality of education remain. The Systems Approach for Better Education Results (SABER) uses diagnostic tools and detailed policy information to produce... [ view full abstract ]

While education enrolment continues to increase, concerns about quality of education remain. The Systems Approach for Better Education Results (SABER) uses diagnostic tools and detailed policy information to produce comparative data and knowledge about education system policies and institutions. It evaluates the quality of those education policies against evidence-based global standards, with the aim of helping countries systematically strengthen their education systems. This paper will focus on the education systems assessed under two initiatives – the Pacific Benchmarking for Education Results (PaBER) and the Russia Education Aid for Development (READ). Case studies of five countries will be examined. SABER was used in both initiatives to assess the system’s strengths and weakness and provide policy recommendations. Specifically, we will look at teacher development and student assessment and will attempt to determine to what degree the countries have accepted the findings and begun a process of implementing the recommendations through new policy reform and / or implementation of major activities.