Outline

Education systems are infused with political, economic, historical, social and cultural factors and influences, which often contribute to longstanding societal inequalities and grievances and make reforming and transforming education systems in contexts of conflict and crisis particularly challenging. Half of all out of school children in the world are located in countries affected by conflict, while issues of capacity and resources raise further questions around the governance and delivery of education, including the political economy of international education aid. There is now increasing recognition that political economy analysis (PEA) plays a vital role in both understanding and addressing these complexities and challenges.

This topic looks at the following questions:

What are the assumptions of different political economy approaches to researching education in contexts of conflict and crisis?
What can the political economy of education literature tell us about educational change and reform in conflict and crisis-affected contexts?
What are the strengths, weaknesses, blind spots and research gaps in the political economy of education literature in conflict and crisis-affected contexts?

Lectures

Professor Mario Novelli, from the University of Sussex, introduces the PEER Network and discusses the reasons for taking a critical political economy approach to understanding the role of education in times of conflict, crises and pandemic.

Open access publications

The Political Economy of Education Systems in Conflict-Affected Contexts in a Changed World Order 2021: A Narrative Literature Review
Citation: Selenica, E. & Novelli, M. (2021) The Political Economy of Education Systems in Conflict-Affected Contexts in a Changed World Order 2021: A Narrative Literature Review. Political Economy of Education Research Network, PEER Working Paper 3.

Political Economy of Education Systems in Conflict-Affected Contexts
Citation: Novelli, M., Higgins, S., Ugur, M. & Valiente, O. (2014). Political Economy of Education Systems in Conflict-Affected Contexts. Project Report, UK Department for International Development.

Russian translation: Новелли М, Хиггинс Ш, Угур М, Валиенте В (2014) Политическая экономия систем образования в условиях конфликта: тщательный обзор литературы. Департамент Международного Развития.

Background Study on Political Economy of Education Tools
Citation: Daoust, G. & Novelli, M. (2020). Background study on political economy of education tools. Political Economy of Education Research Network, PEER Working Paper 1.

The 4 Rs Framework: Analyzing Education's Contribution to Sustainable Peacebuilding with Social Justice in Conflict-Affected Contexts
Citation: Novelli, M., Lopes Cardozo, M. & and Smith, A. (2017). The 4 Rs Framework: Analyzing Education's Contribution to Sustainable Peacebuilding with Social Justice in Conflict-Affected Contexts. Journal on Education in Emergencies, 3(1), pp. 14-43.

Russian translation: Новелли, М., Лопес Кардозо, M.T.A., Смит, A (2015), Теоретическая Основа для Анализа Вклада Образования в Устойчивое Миростроительство: 4 Rs в Контекстах, затронутых Конфликтом. Амстердамский университет.

Education in Emergencies: Tracing the Emergence of a Field
Lopes Cardozo, M. and Novelli, M. (2018). 'Education in Emergencies: Tracing the Emergence of a Field', Education and International Development Working Paper 30, University of Amsterdam.

Reflection and discussion

Further suggested reading

Ayyar, R. V. (1996) ‘Educational policy planning and globalisation’, International Journal of Educational Development, 16(4), pp. 347-353.

Bengtsson, S. E. L. 2011 . “ Fragile States, Fragile Concepts: A Critical Reflection on the Terminology of Fragility in the Field of Education in Emergencies .” In Education, Conflict and Development , edited by J. Paulson , 33 – 58 . Oxford : Symposium Books .

Burde, D., Kapit, A., Wahl, R. L., Guven, O., & Skarpeteig, M. I. (2017). Education in emergencies: A review of theory and research. Review of Educational Research , 87 (3), 619-658.

Berry, C. (2010) ‘Working effectively with non-state actors to deliver education in fragile states’, Development in Practice, 20(4), pp. 586-593.

Bhatta, P. (2011) ‘Aid agency influence in national education policy-making: A case from Nepal’s Education for All movement’, Globalisation, Societies and Education, 9, pp. 1-26.

Brannelly, L., Ndaruhutse, S. and Rigaud, C. (2009) Donors' engagement. Supporting education in fragile and conflict-affected states. Reading: CfBT Education Trust.

Davies, L. (2004). Education and conflict : complexity and chaos. London ; New York, Routledge/Falmer.

De Herdt, T. and Titeca K. (2011) ‘Real governance beyond the 'failed state': Negotiating education in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’, African Affairs, 110(439), pp. 213-239.

De Herdt, T., Titeca, K. and Wagemakers, I. (2012) ‘Make schools, not war? Donors' rewriting of the social contract in the DRC’, Development Policy Review, 30(6), pp. 681-701.

Denney, L. (2011), ‘Reducing poverty with teargas and batons: The security development nexus in Sierra Leone’, African Affairs, 110(439), pp. 275–294.

Duffield, M. (1997). ‘NGO relief in war zones: Towards an analysis of the new aid paradigm’, Third World Quarterly, 18(3), pp. 527-542.

Duffield, M. (2001) Global Governance and the New Wars: The Merging of Development and Security. London: Zed Books.

Duffield, M. (2005). ‘Getting savages to fight barbarians: Development, security and the colonial present’, Conflict, Security and Development, 5(2), pp. 141-59.

Duffield, M. (2010) ‘The liberal way of development and the development-security impasse: Exploring the global life-chance divide’, Security Dialogue, 41(1), pp. 53-76.

Esser, D. E. (2012) 'When we launched the government's agenda: Aid agencies and local politics in urban Africa’, Journal of Modern African Studies, 50(3), pp. 397-420.

Lopes-Cardozo, T. M. and. Novelli, M. (2010) Dutch aid to education in conflict-affected countries. Background paper prepared for the EFA Global Monitoring Report 2011.

Macrae, J. and Harmer, A. (2003). Humanitarian action and the ‘global war on terror’: A review of trends and issues. London: ODI.

Mundy, K. and Dryden- Peterson, S. (eds.) 2011. Educating Children in Conflict Zones: Research, Policy, and Practice for Systematic Change. A Tribute to Jackie Kirk, New York and London: Teachers College Press.

Novelli, M. (2012) The merging of security and development in the education sector: Discourses, programmes and effects. Discussion paper for the Open Society Foundation, Education Support Programme. London: OSI.

Novelli, M; Valiente, O; Higgins, S; Ugur, M, (2014) The Political Economy of Education Systems in Conflict Affected States. London: DFID.

Novelli, M; Lopes-Cardozo, T. M; Smith, A (2019). 'The ‘4 Rs’ as a tool for critical policy analysis of the education sector in conflict affected states', Education and Conflict Review, 2, 70-75.

Pherali, T., & Sahar, A. (2018). Learning in the chaos: A political economy analysis of education in Afghanistan. Research in Comparative and International Education, 13 (2), 239-258.

Putzel J. and Di John, J. (2012) Meeting the challenges of crisis states. Crisis States Research Centre Report. London: London School of Economics and Political Science.

Ratcliffe, M. and Perry, C. (2009) Study on governance challenges for education in fragile situations: Study synthesis report. Brussels: European Commission Study Management Team.

Save the Children (2007) Last in line, last in school: How donors are failing children in conflict-affected fragile states. London: Save the Children.

Save the Children (2008) Last in line, last in school: How donors can support education for children affected by conflict and emergencies. London: Save the Children.

Schmidt, C. and Taylor, A. (2010) Liberia’s education pooled fund: A case for private foundation engagement in post conflict education recovery. London: OSI.

Shah, R., Paulson, J., & Couch, D. (2020). The Rise of Resilience in Education in Emergencies. Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding , 14 (3), 303-326.

Steer, L. and Wathne C. (2010) ‘Donor financing of basic education: Opportunities and constraints’, International Journal of Educational Development, 30(5), pp. 472-480.

Stoddard, A., Harmer, A., and Haver, K. (2006). Providing aid in insecure environments: Trends in policy and operations. Humanitarian Policy Group Report 23. London: Overseas Development Institute.

Turrent, V. (2011) ‘Financing Access and participation in primary education: Is there a fast track for fragile states?’ International Journal of Educational Development, 31(4), pp. 409-416.

Turrent, V. and Oketch, M. (2009) ‘Financing universal primary education: An analysis of official development assistance in fragile states’, International Journal of Educational Development, 29(4), pp. 357-365.

Winthrop, R. & Matsui E. (2013) A New Agenda for Education in Fragile States, Centre for Universal Education at Brookings, Working Paper 10.

UNESCO 2011. EFA Global Monitoring Report 2011: The hidden crisis: Armed conflict and education Paris: UNESCO.