A CIER seminar presented by Professor Kwame Akyeampong, University of Sussex.

This presentation focuses on the pedagogy enacted within Speed Schools, a complementary education initiative providing a catch-up education for out-of-school children in Ethiopia.

A description and analysis based on empirical research within four such schools are discussed in terms of debates about what is appropriate education in the low resource contexts that prevail in sub-Saharan Africa. Rather than specifying a set of instructions, Speed School training focuses on establishing an understanding of principles which teachers apply to teaching curricular material from the National Curriculum.

Speed School pedagogy is shown as distinctive, transcending familiar approaches in its emphasis on the collective in the way that tasks are set, carried out and reported. Much of the learning is done in small groups working with different modes of representation. The material is then repeated as groups present it back to other groups. Inclusion of all is emphasised by both teachers and students.

Refreshments will be available but please register online.