Education Programs in Post-Conflict Environments: a Review from Liberia, Sierra Leone, and South Africa

Abstract

Education should be considered as one of the mechanisms for governments and nations to succeed in a post-conflict process. The purpose of this Review Article is twofold: to explain the importance of education in a post-conflict setting, and to describe a few strategies that post-conflict societies have implemented. In terms of research design, a multiple case study approach has been implemented. The paper reviews a unique topic with specific reference to education plans implemented in post-conflict societies such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, and South Africa. Each of them has experienced violent conflicts and has used education as a tool to succeed in their post-conflict process. In sum, there are several educational programs that involve children, young people, survivors, parents, teachers, and local communities as well as curriculums focused on teaching of cultural values and technical skills to improve the quality of life in a post-conflict setting.

Tiered Neuroscience and Mental Health Professional Development in Liberia Improves Teacher Self-Efficacy, Self-Responsibility, and Motivation

“…Improving teacher quality through ongoing PD remains a key ingredient for addressing the educational inadequacies in Liberia ( Fashina, 2017 ). During early post-civil war years, some teacher training programs emphasized active learning classroom strategies, but how widespread this process was or continues to be has not been documented ( Barrios-Tao et al, 2017 ). The principle focus from international PD efforts has been on raising reading rates through elementary school teacher training ( King et al, 2015 ; Gove et al, 2017 ).…”

Current state of the literature on mental health in Liberia: A systematic review

“…After a significant disruption of its education system, Liberia has made gains in increasing access to and opportunities for schooling, which in turn promotes advancement in education and a subsequent pathway for research capability. 28 Liberia is simultaneously rebuilding its health system, which was weakened by conflict and challenged by the Ebola outbreak in 2014. 29 One key feature of a well-functioning health system is its ability to track and gather information that guides key decisions, which includes ongoing health research as a main component.…”

Prácticas Educativas de los Educadores Piapoco en torno a la Construcción de Escenarios de Paz en Comunidades del Departamento de Guainía en Colombia

“…Esta situación no fue ajena a los diferentes pueblos indígenas que habitan el territorio, pues el Gobierno y las FARC destacan la importancia de los pueblos indígenas como constructores de Paz, pese a las situaciones de conflicto que han afrontado a lo largo de la historia (Acuerdo Final para la Terminación del Conflicto, Capitulo Étnico, 2016). Es así como surge el post-conflicto para garantizar la Paz en el proceso interétnico como proceso duradero en el territorio colombiano y con ello la necesidad de considerar la educación como un escenario que favorece la formación integral de los estudiantes; como aquella que potencia valores y actitudes en pro de la convivencia pacífica y armónica; mitiga los conflictos; suministra protección, física, psicológica y cognitiva (Barrios-Tao et al, 2016;Martínez, 2017).…”