Article 25/01/2023

Event - Leading teaching and learning together: the role of the middle tier

In an upcoming two-part webinar series hosted by the UNESCO International Institute of Educational Planning (IIEP) and Education Development Trust (EDT), we will examine two central questions: how can instructional leaders positioned at the middle tier of education systems improve teaching and learning? What does it take for instructional leaders at the middle tier to be successful?

A key element of solving the teaching and learning crisis worldwide is better supporting teachers to deliver quality education. While it may be easy to think only of school- or high-level interventions, there are key actors at the middle tier of education systems who are uniquely effective in providing this support.

Celebrating the launch of a new research report from IIEP and EDT, Leading teaching and learning together: the role of the middle tier, the webinars will explore the role of a critical but too often neglected set of actors: those working at the ‘middle’ of education systems, such as district education officers, network facilitators, supervisors or teacher mentors. Together, these actors can contribute to improve the quality of education, by acting as mediators of new policies to the frontline and instructional leaders who work across schools to support the improvement of teaching and learning. The webinar will highlight promising practices for policymakers globally and bring key thought leaders into conversation with country experts and middle-tier leaders.

Part 1
Lessons learned: How can the middle tier improve teaching and learning? (21 February, 9:30-11:00 GMT)

Opening: Jordan Naidoo, IIEP-UNESCO Director a.i.
Chair: Tony McAleavy, Education Development Trust, Education Director

Panellists

Shuangye Chen, Associate Dean of Faculty of Education and Professor in the Institute of Curriculum and Instruction at East China Normal University.
David Childress, Lead researcher on the Delhi case-study
Charlotte Jones, Formerly Global Head of R&D at Education Development Trust
Jean Pierre Mugiraneza, Leadership for Learning Lead, Building Learning Foundations programme, Rwanda.
Barbara Tournier, Programme Specialist, IIEP-UNESCO
Deogratias Tuyisingize, National Leader of Learning, Rwanda
Wei Zhang, Professor in the Institute of Curriculum and Instruction of East China Normal University, Shanghai.

Part 2
From policy to implementation: What does it take for instructional leaders at the middle tier to be successful? (23 February, 13:30 – 15:00 GMT)

Opening: Jordan Naidoo, IIEP-UNESCO Director a.i.
Chair: Tony McAleavy, Education Development Trust, Education Director

Panellists

Andy Hargreaves, Visiting Professor at the University of Ottawa and Research Professor at Boston College
Richard Churches, Global Head of Research, Education Development Trust
Shuangye Chen, Associate Dean of Faculty of Education and Professor in the Institute of Curriculum and Instruction at East China Normal University.
Jobin Thomas, Global Associate Head of M&E, STiR Education
Jean Pierre Mugiraneza, Leadership for Learning Lead, Building Learning Foundations programme, Rwanda.
Wei Zhang, Professor in the Institute of Curriculum and Instruction of East China Normal University, Shanghai.

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