Reflections on Government-Based Education Research Labs: Insights from Key Stakeholders

SchoolClick is always keen to keep an eye on educational developments around the globe, and recent activity from the South African Department of Basic Education (DBE) has caught our attention. It seems they’ve been deep in discussion about the role of government-based education research labs.

The DBE recently hosted a panel discussion bringing together a diverse range of voices from within South Africa and beyond. Key figures such as Thabo Mabogoane from the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), Faith Tshabalala representing the Gauteng Department of Education, and Ian de Vega from the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) all participated. The panel also included Gail Campbell from the Zenex Foundation, an organisation focused on improving maths, science and language education, and Joyce Joas Kahembe from the Tanzania Institute of Education, bringing an international perspective to the conversation.

The focus of the discussion was on the experiences of working within, and alongside, government-led education research labs. These labs play a crucial role in informing policy and practice within the education system, using evidence-based research to drive improvement. Understanding how these labs operate, their challenges and successes, is vital for ensuring that educational reforms are effective and sustainable.

The DBE shared news of the panel discussion via their Twitter account, and you can see the original post here. It’s great to see such collaborative efforts taking place, and SchoolClick will continue to follow developments in South Africa and report on any key findings that emerge from this important work.

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