Rwanda Learning Partnership: Insights on School and System Leadership during COVID-19

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in September 2020, the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) -- in its efforts to improve the country's school leaders -- formed a learning partnership with the Education Commission, Education Development Trust, and the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) to undertake rapid research on school and system leadership during school closures and as they started to reopen for the first time. This research used an innovative 'learning partnership' approach with Rwandan education stakeholders engaged as a critical 'co-creation' partner in each phase of the process -- from designing the research questions to interpreting the findings. This approach ensured the issues investigated were priorities for local stakeholders and promoted ongoing, dynamic dialogue around emerging findings to influence decision-making which could be acted on to create impact. Key findings from the learning partnership highlighted three main strategies used by leaders to provide continuity of learning and support during school closures and reopening: (1) engaging with caregivers, communities, and other sectors; (2) collaborating with teachers and other school leaders; and (3) tracking, sharing information, and providing targeted support. [This report was produced in partnership with the Education Commission, the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB), and the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE). For the accompanying brief, "Bridging the Evidence to Policy Gap: A Learning Partnership Approach to Research," see ED615148.]