Bridging the Gap in Education: How Education Leaders can Uplift the Learning Ecosystem

In the McKinsey Global Teacher and Student Survey conducted by McKinsey & Company in 2022, students in the Middle East showed a general trend of struggling with their studies. Students in the region scored around 20% lower on well-known tests than the 38 country members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a global policy forum aimed at improving policy standards and economic growth. 

Factors contributing to the gap include unequal access and poor educational outcomes in countries affected by war, economic collapses and political conflict. 

The research cited four ways for leaders in the education scene to improve life for students, teachers and institutions such as enhanced teacher quality to improve student outcomes, technology, whole-child education, and creating pathways for lifelong learning.

We’ve also gathered some insights from experts in the field of education on how to bridge the gap of education disparity in the Middle East – here are some of their suggestions on how leaders can strengthen the region’s learning eco-system.

Invest in Education, Collaborate and Foster a Positive School Culture

For Managing Director of 21 Ten Learning Stephen Cox who has 16 years of experience working in the region, a Western model of educational reform may be used as a hypothesis and to take culture in the Middle East in consideration in providing strategies to improve education.

Mr. Cox suggests providing resources such as funding, technology, and materials to support student learning and teacher professional development by investing in textbooks, digital tools, and teacher training. 

His second point involves encouraging collaboration. “Leaders can foster collaboration among teachers and students by creating opportunities for group projects, team-building exercises, and interdisciplinary learning. This can help create a sense of community and encourage students to work together towards a common goal,” Mr. Cox said.

The third suggestion is to foster a positive school culture by establishing anti-bullying policies, encouraging diversity and inclusion, and recognizing and celebrating the achievements of students and teachers.

Teacher autonomy can help empower educators on decision-making about the curriculum, teaching strategies, and classroom management. 

“This can help foster a sense of ownership and engagement among teachers, which can ultimately benefit student learning,” Mr. Cox said. 

Lastly, emphasize personalized learning by understanding students’ needs based on their unique learning needs and strengths. Strategies for personalized learning include one-on-one tutoring, differentiated instruction, and personalized assessments.