GSICS Implemented Knowledge Co-Creation Program (JICA Training)

From June 5th to July 16th, 2016, GSICS implemented the Knowledge Co-Creation Program on “Education Finance and Administration: Focused on Basic Education Quality, Internal Efficiency, and Equity” supported by JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency). Twenty-five Ministry of Education officers from 17 countries participated in this training. The countries are as follows: Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Morocco, Sudan, Ghana, Swaziland, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Madagascar, Mauritania, Niger, Myanmar, Malawi, Benin, Mali and Senegal.

The purpose of this training is to enhance the knowledge and skills of government education policymakers that are necessary to promote high quality basic education and reduce gender/geographical inequity through in-depth knowledge of the education sector and understanding of education administration and finance mechanism. The training was composed of lectures, seminars, workshops conducted by professors in and out of Kobe University and experts from domestic and international organizations, field visits to government education offices, and primary and junior secondary schools.

Based on the knowledge gained during the course of the training, the participants developed an action plan designed to improve the quality of education and reduce the gender/geographic inequity of their own country by strengthening of their education administration and financial system. On the last days of the training, each participant presented their action plan and received valuable feedback from the lecturer and fellow participants.

Upon completion of the training, participants commented that their knowledge about education administration and finance have been greatly enhanced and that they aspire to apply such knowledge in improving the education administration and finance of their own countries upon their return.

Authored by Najung Kim (Doctoral Student)