This blog post is a forum for a range of perspectives on issues related to global efforts to improve the quality of education. We are particularly interested in issues and experience related to improving learning outcomes and the contribution that education makes to inclusive economic growth, poverty reduction and better institutions.
Baobab trees (genus Adansonia) are found in Africa and Australia, and have the ability to store literally tens of thousands of litres of water within their trunk giving them their distinctive shape. This gives rise to their informal name of 'bottle …
A current hot topic in development circles is whether at the upcoming UN general assembly meeting in New York, the advice of a topic level panel will be heeded to create a UN ‘super-agency’ for women. Currently a number of different …
I've been away on holiday in Europe for a few weeks in July, it was incredible to see the change to Kano when I got back. Same old crumbling cement blocks, pot-holed streets and blazing sun. But after regular rainstorms for a …
Apologies for not writing recently, in particular to Iphie, Iyinoluwa, Yassin and Elizabeth who gave such informed and passionate responses on the situation in the Niger Delta that I raised in my post about the Maureen Matheny Academy in Bayelsa State. You guys …
Working for an organisation that funds development work (in my case DFID) means that I frequently receive requests from worthy causes for financial support. I recently got a call from a Western volunteer living in Nigeria with a difference; a brand …
Nigeria has a diverse range of challenges to deal with in providing a decent livelihood and prosperity to its population of over 140 million. One issue that gently bubbles in the background and occasionally boils over is environmental degradation; made worse by …
If you look back to one of my earlier postings: Death on the Roads, you will note I have already highlighted the pitfalls and dangers on the open highways of Nigeria. Last week was no different, as I left Kano there …
I was lucky enough to get back home to Sussex for a few days over Easter to see my family - it was great to see my children for real rather than over a blurry Skype connection. Two of them go …
In time honoured fashion I managed to trick my kids to run out to see an imaginary friend on April Fools' morning - although I suspect when they get older I'll be on the receiving end. Skimming the Nigerian press, …
Recently we received a visit with a difference from Yahya a representative of one of the new emerging donor countries Turkey. Since 2005, Yahya has been working for the Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TICA). He is part of a team …
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