Executive summary
want learning content and approaches that support stable, inclusive societies that are very much part of the wider global community. Youth also often movingly emphasize their own roles in making high quality education a reality in their setting. A key measure of youth satisfaction with education quality in these countries, and likely many others, is undoubtedly the extent to which they feel supported in taking individual initiative and responsibility for confronting obstacles to post-primary education and successfully completing their education goals. Support must in part help youth confront at times deep cultural and religious barriers to youth education, in addition to addressing the many other diverse, interacting issues youth describe, from education funding to teacher training. They call on governments at all levels; school, university and other education authorities; teachers; parents; international actors; their peers; and others to work together and deepen efforts to address the concerns they outline. Many of these are described in more detail in the following pages and in individual case reports, including a range of recommendations for action. Youth call on governments at all levels; school, university and other education authorities; teachers; parents; international actors; their peers; and others to work together and deepen efforts to address the concerns they outline through a range of recommendations for action: • Improve the quality of teaching. Raise teacher salaries. Enhance teacher qualifications. Promote support for teachers implementing new reforms. Support the use of interactive and engaging teaching methods to ensure that teaching supports practical learning. • Provide more practical and innovative learning opportunities. Create opportunities for students to learn marketable skills, such as computer and technology skills, foreign languages and transferable job skills. Modernize learning opportunities to enhance students’ motivation to learn. Increase international student exchange opportunities at both the secondary and tertiary education levels. • Increase access to extra-curricular activities. Add sports, culture and social programmes to schools. Use non-formal education to supplement academic courses with additional learning opportunities. • Enhance young people’s participation. Increase opportunities for youth participation in education decision-making and implementation of education reforms. Empower youth to take action to improve education quality through student government and other forums. Expand opportunities for extra-curricular activities and non-formal learning. Work with youth to determine how youth subgroups prefer to receive information on the diverse subjects of health, HIV/AIDS and nutrition; gender and sexual relationships; and peace and tolerance. • Improve learning environments. Improve the quality of school environments. Make school infrastructure more inclusive of students with special needs. Ensure that up-to-date, low cost and relevant textbooks are accessible for all students in relevant languages. Increase access to social support services and job counselling for students. • Reduce dropouts. Provide in-school support for students at risk of dropping out. Make schools more flexible so that they are able to address the special needs of students and be inclusive. Create more opportunities for dropouts to return to school. Address barriers to school completion by reducing the cost of education and addressing gender divides. • Reduce the cost of education. Decrease education costs, and expand financial support to students, with attention to the needs of the economically poorest students, female youth, youth with special needs and those in single-parent households. • Promote violence-free and inclusive schools. Investigate violence in and around schools, including inter-ethnic and religious conflict, and enhance protective factors. Study and address the causes and effects of rising traditionalism and religious conservatism as barriers to youth getting an education. Expand learning opportunities for youth with disabilities and other special needs learners, as much as possible within conventional schools.
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Demand for Education Innovation: Adolescent and youth perspectives on education quality in the CEECIS Region