The impact of sector-wide approaches: where from, where now and where to?
Erika Boak
Susy Ndaruhutse
Susy's first 'proper job' involved her being sent to work in Rwanda's Ministry of Education for four years on behalf of Education Development Trust; unsurprisingly, today, she is Education Development Trust's authority on providing technical assistance to low- and middle-income countries and has particular expertise in fragile and conflict-affected states. Along with her team and associate consultants, she provides strategic policy, advisory and capacity building services and works with donors, developing-country governments and non-governmental organisations in the education sector.
This research reflects upon and reviews the global progress of education sector wide approaches in developing countries since their introduction in the late 1990s
The research is based on an analysis of the global literature, as well as the grey literature on SWAps since they were first launched. The research methodology was composed of (i) a desk review of existing international literature on SWAps, aid effectiveness, education planning, education financing, education outcomes and fragile contexts as well as relevant national, grey literature; and (ii) stakeholder interviews in the form of telephone interviews, written responses to questionnaires or in some cases face-to-face interviews. The informants were made up of experts within the field of SWAps who brought the perspectives of different donors, and independent consultants with national-level experience of implementing SWAps, as well as some non-traditional donors.