Dr Raymond Chipfakacha
Governments are mandated by law in their respective countries to ensure there is access to equitable and quality education.
However, in providing education, there are gaps which sometimes emerge prompting non-state actors to cover the gap.
Over time, it has become an accepted fact that providing education is a collective effort.
Time and history have shown that the participation of non-state actors in supporting public education systems, especially in low and middle-income countries can significantly improve access to education as well as its quality.
Non-state actors do not bear political pressure and have access to resources which governments may not be able to access at times.
At Higherlife Foundation, we are conscious of this salient fact. Being an organisation whose roots are anchored in education, we have enough empirical evidence to support this view.
In our experience, we have adopted a working guide on how collaboration between governments and non-state actors can result in best outcomes.
Prioritize Marginalized Communities
Non-state actors should target innovations that address the specific needs of rural and disadvantaged students to improve their educational experience.
This allows a chance to reduce disparities between those with resources and those from low-income communities. When access to education is standardised, every child has the same opportunity to achieve success.
Early Government Alignment
Involving the government from the outset (design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation) is crucial for aligning with priorities, increasing government ownership, and facilitating long-term adoption.
In most countries, governments and municipalities oversee administering the public education system. Non-state actors can only work within the parameters prescribed by governments and this means that relations must be in considerably good health for the better part of the collaboration process. This is usually done by ensuring that programming speaks to the prevailing policies at the time and new concepts must be carefully and strategically suggested.
Financially Sustainable Solutions
Innovations must be cost-effective to enable scaling, government integration, and long-term sustainability. A good idea should be able to stand the test of time.
Procurement Systems for Innovation
Governments should adapt procurement systems to facilitate collaboration with providers of innovative educational solutions.
Scaling Up with Quality
To mitigate the risk of decreased effectiveness during expansion, governments and non-state actors should collaborate to identify success factors in scaling efforts.
Robust Monitoring and Evaluation
Strong monitoring and evaluation systems for pilot programs are essential to demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of proposed solutions. Clear frameworks for measuring process, outcomes, and impact, along with consistent data collection, are crucial for informed decision-making.
Collaboration is Key
Success hinges on fostering effective partnerships and collaboration among non-state actors, governments, educational institutions, and communities.
Shared Goal
Ultimately, there should be a shared goal, which in this case are improved learning outcomes. In designing and implementing programmes it is important to remember the intended beneficiary of the work – the student in the classroom. As long as the end user is kept in sight, it is difficult to stray from the common goal.
Higherlife Foundation aspires to see enhanced collaboration between non-state actors and governments to propel student learning outcomes.
With a scholarship that has run for over two decades in Zimbabwe, the Foundation has experienced the importance of collaborating with governments for improved learning outcomes first-hand.
There is an old Ethiopian proverb which says when spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion. There is power in joining hands and harmonious collaboration and if pursued in the interest of education, learning outcomes improve significantly.
Dr Raymond Chipfakacha is Higherlife Foundation’s General Manager – Business Development and Innovation.
