By Jones Gadama
The University of Malawi has launched the Africa Regional Education System Resilience Observatory (ARESRO), a groundbreaking project aimed at strengthening the resilience of education systems across sub-Saharan Africa.
The project, coordinated in partnership with Makerere University of Uganda, was unveiled in Salima, Malawi.
Government officials, academia, and stakeholders converged to hail the initiative as a significant milestone in improving education quality through global partnerships.
The project’s timeliness in addressing Malawi’s education challenges, particularly those arising from natural disasters, was emphasized by Quality Assurance Director in the Ministry of Education, Professor Golden Msilimba.
“The launch of ARESRO is a great milestone in improving the quality of education in Malawi through a global partnership,” Msilimba stated.
He underscored the project’s potential to prepare countries for unforeseen events impacting the education sector.
The project is designed to examine education system resilience in selected African countries, including Malawi.
It explores potential future disruptions, shocks, stressors, and risks affecting education systems, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Associate Professor Macjessie Mbewe, Leader of the Project, the pandemic served as an eye-opener for Malawi and other African countries, highlighting the need for robust education systems.
Vice Chancellor for the University of Malawi (UNIMA), Professor Samson Sajidu, noted that the ARESRO project would cement existing relationships with international universities.
The initiative aligns with efforts to strengthen Africa’s higher education sector, emphasizing research and innovation.
By fostering partnerships and leveraging expertise, ARESRO aims to create more inclusive and sustainable educational environments.
ARESRO’s objectives include developing a unified framework for defining, assessing, and enhancing education system resilience, establishing a virtual observatory to track current and future risks, and collaborating with regional bodies to influence policy and practice.
The project adopts a three-pronged research approach: context analysis, formative assessments, and foresight analysis.
By prioritizing collaborative efforts, knowledge sharing, and innovative solutions, stakeholders can work together to build more robust and adaptable education systems.
The launch of ARESRO marks a significant step towards enhancing education system resilience in Malawi and beyond.
By working together, stakeholders can contribute to improved education outcomes and increased resilience in the face of emerging challenges.
