Improved access to education has failed to translate into learning in many countries. Around 250 million children in low-and middle-income countries cannot read, write, or do basic maths. A range of different education interventions have been implemented to resolve what is being seen as a learning crisis. Do these interventions work?

To examine this important policy question, 3ie carried out a systematic review that synthesised evidence from 238 studies on 216 education programmes in 52 countries. It is one of the most ambitious systematic reviews conducted to date as it assesses the impact of a range of interventions on a host of outcomes including children’s school participation, learning and teacher performance. For this review, the authors synthesised the quantitative evidence on effects. They also reviewed the research on process and implementation to explain the findings and distill key lessons for policy and practice.

This evening session will mark the international launch of the policymaker-friendly summary report of this comprehensive systematic review. A presentation on the main findings of the systematic review will be followed by an interactive talk show style panel discussion. The panelists will include diverse and eminent speakers from the field of education, including Young Lives research associate Caine Rolleston.

Panelists:
Sally Gear, head of profession, education, DFID
David Evans, senior economist, World Bank
Elizabeth King, member, 3ie board of commissioners
Caine Rolleston, Institute of Education, University College London, UK

This is a free evening public lecture. All are welcome.