The Network on Education Quality Monitoring in the Asia-Pacific (NEQMAP) produces series of ‘thematic reviews’ to provide the opportunity for the network and its members to strengthen the knowledge base through research and analysis in specific thematic areas related to learning assessments and quality learning outcomes. The first series was introduced in 2019 focusing on Inclusion and Equity, while the 2020 reviews focused on “Learning Assessments in Emergencies and Crises”. This year NEQMAP is calling for 2021 Thematic Reviews on Flexible strategies for ensuring quality learning outcomes to continue looking at the lasting impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on education systems, and will explore how flexible and blended learning strategies can ensure quality learning outcomes that contribute to more resilient and sustainable education.
The reviews should have a regional focus and include information from as many different countries in the region as possible. The reviews should draw on previous literature, case studies and analysis of secondary data. Primary data collection is not necessary. The scope should consider and explore the following:
- How have countries in Asia-Pacific introduced or integrated flexible strategies in their education systems to ensure quality learning outcomes? What are the policy implications or mechanisms that have been introduced at the system and school level?
- What tools, delivery modes and criteria are used to adapt existing strategies for measuring learning progress and outcomes? What are the challenges?
- How do flexible strategies address issues of inclusion, equity, as well as transparency, reliability and validity?
- How are schools and teachers prepared and supported (i.e. through the provision of online pedagogy systems/ tools and resources, and professional support networks, etc.)?
We welcome proposals for this overarching theme, that will also examine or include elements of NEQMAP’s programme areas: competency-based learning, education system alignment (curriculum, pedagogy and assessment), monitoring quality learning outcomes, and learning assessments (summative/formative; school-based/large-scale, etc.).
Thematic review length: 7,000 words (maximum)
The thematic reviews will be published on NEQMAP’s Knowledge Portal.
NEQMAP will publish one or two (1-2) NEQMAP Thematic Reviews on “Flexible strategies for ensuring quality learning outcomes” to explore how countries in Asia-Pacific have incorporated, utilized or leveraged flexible strategies to address learning loss and to capture learning outcomes and progress.
Submit your Expression of Interest – individuals and/or institutes to undertake the thematic review(s). We welcome collaboration across individuals or institutes. This call is open to all NEQMAP members (and non-NEQMAP members) who wish to contribute. The NEQMAP Secretariat at UNESCO Bangkok will select the authors for each topic of the thematic reviews following the review of the expression of interest and additional documents.
Please submit your expression of interest to neqmap@unesco.org, with the documents listed below
- Short expression of interest/proposed topic and research outline (max 2 pages)
- CV
- Written work/sample of writing
Deadline for submissions – Wednesday, 30 June 2021
Disclaimer: NEQMAP thematic reviews are ‘voluntary contributions’ – no remuneration is provided.
For reference, here is the concept note of the call for proposals: NEQMAP 2021 Thematic Reviews on Flexible strategies for ensuring quality learning outcomes.
