UNESCO and the Teaching and Learning - Educators' Network for Transformation (TALENT) in collaboration with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), organized a regional workshop to initiate knowledge-sharing and assess gaps in capacities and knowledge pertaining to national learning assessment systems, from 6 to 8 December 2017 in Dakar, Senegal. The workshop brought together 18 countries from the different sub-regions of sub-Saharan Africa with two main objectives which were: (i) to share knowledge on the state of national learning assessment systems and major learning assessment programmes and initiatives; and (ii) to identify capacity-building and knowledge gaps and needs.

Mr. Mame Omar Diop facilitating sessions in the workshop in Daker from 6-8 December 2017]

During the workshop, Mr. Mame Omar Diop, Senior Programme Specialist from IICBA has facilitated two sessions: Introduction to Learning in SDG-4 from UNESCO HQs and the Brooking Institution, and Presentation of Analytical Framework of Learning Assessment Systems by GPE Secretariat. These two sessions were to introduce and share the global initiatives which are encouraging reflection and collaboration on the use of learning assessment to improve learning. The Brooking Institute is working on the development of measurement tools in several competency areas including literacy and communication, learning and cognitive approaches, numeracy and mathematics, science and technology, culture and the arts, social emotions and physical well-being, which refer to non-cognitive or transversal skills generally referred to as 21st century skills. This measurement work is particularly relevant in sub-Saharan Africa, where many countries have reformed their curriculum and are now using the Competency-Based Approach. On the other hand, the Analytical Framework of Learning Assessment System developed by GPE is aiming at analyzing and building robust national learning assessment systems for better learning outcomes. This framework is part of the GPE's Assessment for Learning (A4L) initiative which was launched in 2016, and intends to ensure that learning assessments are designed, conducted and used to inform and guide decision-makers and all education stakeholders in their choices of actions to support learning.

What is TALENT?
TALENT is a thematic working group set up in June 2016 to address learning outcomes and support countries in the region. This network is coordinated by UNESCO Regional Office in Dakar with the support of a Steering Group made up, at this stage, of Association for the Development of Education in Africa- Network for African Learning Assessment (ADEA-NALA), Africa Network Campaign on Education for All (ANCEFA), Conference of Ministers of Education of French-Speaking Countries (CONFEMEN) and its Programme for the Analysis of Education Systems of CONFEMEN Countries (PASEC), Network for Excellence in Higher Education in West Africa (REESAO) and UNICEF.

For more information about this TALENT: Réseau pour la transformation de l’enseignement-apprentissage