The importance of learning assessment

BHP Director John Richards has been working with Bangladeshi colleagues proposing reforms to the country’s education system. Following joint publication of a textbook, “Political Economy of Education in South Asia”, John contributed to a recent essay in a prominent Dhaka newspaper. The essay covers all aspects of an agenda for education reform aimed at building an equitable, inclusive and quality education system for all.

Among many other recommendations, Dr. Manzoor Ahmed, the lead author, writes: “One of the priorities should be a broad assessment of primary-level students' ability to read and do basic arithmetic, and actions based on the assessment to reach these targets.” This has been a major focus of BHP expectations for the primary school that we support through the Oasis for Posterity NGO. You can read about the latest assessment and follow-up actions in earlier editions of this blog.

Improving learning outcomes

John Richards with Bluebell students March 2024

BHP’s director John Richards and adviser Shahidul Islam recently wrote an editorial for Dhaka’s leading English-language newspaper. In “Education for most Indians is still a ‘bust.' What about Bangladesh?”, they write, “The first step in improving schools in India – and other South Asian countries – is to acknowledge the severity of the problem…. We understand that a one-size-fits-all approach will fail. As such, whichever approaches are taken, community leaders and other stakeholders need to agree on one non-negotiable agenda: improving learning outcomes…. The purpose of evaluation and assessment is not to compare one school with another. Instead, evaluations should aim for knowledge mobilisation and policy advocacy at every level, while keeping all stakeholders informed.” You can read about recent evaluations of Bluebell and OIST students’ performance in earlier blog posts. Both groups performed better than most local schools, and we are hoping to improve further.

News from Nurses International

Our colleagues at Nurses International have just published their latest newsletter. This describes NI’s latest projects such as a recently updated medical-surgical nursing course and work underway to revise the oncology nursing course. There is also useful information on NI’s Clinical Alliance, which supports sharing of evidence-based resources for nurse staff development and clinical orientation. Shared resources include policies, procedures, a Transition Framework User Manual, survey tools, and teaching tools for developing both preceptors and clinical staff. Nurses International also has openings for volunteers, such as course writers and reviewers who wish to work at home while developing professional practice resources for nurses globally.