About CERiG
Why CERiG Was Needed
Although Ghana's education system has had numerous interventions, it is unclear which of them have been the most effective and at costs that are sustainable. Furthermore, most research and evaluation studies of education interventions have originated outside Ghana with limited input from Ghanaian researchers and research institutions, especially at the research design and problem identification stage where deep knowledge of the local context is needed. Moreover, the absence of an organised community of Ghanaian education researchers means that it is difficult to access their collective input.
CERiG aims to provide education policy makers and practitioners with robust evidence on what works to improve education in Ghana. Its fellows bring deep knowledge of the Ghanaian education environment to design and research education and learning.
How CERiG Addresses This Gap
To address this gap, under the Ghana Education Evidence Data Lab (GEEDLab), CERiG was set up to support the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ghana Education Service (GES) by conducting research that aims to improve education practice and improve learning. CERIG brings researchers with varied methodological expertise to address challenges that continue to limit the impact of education on equitable learning, and school to work transitions.
The Consortium for Education Researchers in Ghana (CERiG) aims primarily to provide research support services for the MoE and GES, especially to address research gaps that have been identified to have real-world implications in Education-Sector Analysis (ESA).
CERiG Quantitative Methods Expertise include:
- Descriptive statistics
- Inferential statistics
- Regression analysis
- Multivariate analysis
- Time series analysis
- Path analysis
- Structural equation modelling
- Meta-analysis
- Experimental designs (Randomized Controlled Trials - RCTs)
- Quasi-Experimental designs
CERiG Qualitative Methods Expertise include:
- Content analysis
- Thematic analysis
- Narrative analysis
- Discourse analysis
- Grounded theory
- Phenomenological analysis
- Ethnographic analysis
- Case study analysis
Known as the Consortium of Education Researchers in Ghana (CERiG), it aims to primarily provide research support services for the MoE and GES, especially to address research gaps that have been identified in Education Sector Analysis Reports (ESAR), and respond to urgent rapid research on education for critical decision making.
Our Work
CERiG researchers help to synthesise education interventions that achieve results at scale, review evidence of smaller scale research studies and curate evidence on what works to improve education primarily in Ghana and across Africa. Their approach includes identifying successful strategies and adapting lessons from various African countries to inform educational improvement efforts.
CERiG seeks collaboration with local and international research teams and organisations to build consensus and understand what works to improve learning, from early childhood through secondary education and beyond. This includes partnership with Ghanaian researchers abroad as well as African researchers who have deep interest in how to improve learning and the lives of African children and youth.
The consortium works closely with research teams at the Statistics Research and Information Management (SRIM) unit of the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service to strengthen their capacity to synthesise, translate and communicate research evidence to improve education access and quality in Ghana.
CERiG seeks to improve resource optimisation for research by promoting collaboration and reduction in the duplication of efforts in education research. It conducts research that responds to gaps identified in periodic reviews of educational performance and the Ministry of Education’s Research and Learning Agenda (RLA) and similar priorities emerging from other African countries.
Our Vision
To be a leading education research consortium in Ghana, conducting and synthesising education research to drive evidence-based education policy and practice.
Our Mission
To synthesise and conduct high-quality research, providing technical assistance, and disseminating research findings to improve education policy and practice in Ghana, and to support the MoE, GES, and its stakeholders to access and use robust research evidence to improve the quality of education for every child in Ghana.
Our Objectives
Conduct research for and on behalf of SRIM based on research gaps identified in the co-created MoE Research and Learning Agenda (RLA)
Provide technical assistance to the MoE-GES on the interpretation of research evidence and data to develop policy options
Provide capacity building for MoE, GES, and its agencies on effective ways of communicating education research evidence, at any level, at regional and school level
Provide evidence to the MoE's high level evidence committee (Hi-LEC) on effective approaches to improve student learning
Provide technical assistance to SRIM and the GES on how to make education research evidence more accessible to teachers, headteachers, district and regional education officials and practitioners in the field
How CERiG Was Established
In August 2022, the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ghana Education Service (GES) invited and selected 19 researchers with expertise in various areas in education to join the Consortium for Education Researchers in Ghana (CERiG).
This was followed by registration of consortium members who provided critical information about their research interests and experience.
It was agreed that the consortium would provide research and capacity building assistance to SRIM through informal agreements with the Ministry of Education.
In September 2022, CERiG held its inaugural meeting with members to discuss the consortium's objectives and how to build the capacity of SRIM through undertaking research projects in specified areas identified in the MoE Research and Learning Agenda and subsequently producing high-quality research outputs, publishing in reputable journals and experiences in international research.
Each of the identified researchers was sent an invitation letter to complete a survey to start the membership process.
The selection results were officially communicated to the Vice-Chancellor or head of each candidate's institution.