Best Practices for Education Funding

This week Dr. Jo Kelcey and Ms. Ola Itani joined IC Outreach Director Richard Bampfylde in IC’s Audio Room for a deep-dive into the three Es for analysing education financing: Equity, Effectiveness and Efficiency. Dr. Jo is Assistant Professor at the Lebanese American University and Ms. Ola an IB Evaluation and Programme Leader. The deep-dive included public, private and non-formal education (NFE). Dr. Jo shared the historical perspective of the education system and financing in Lebanon from the Ottoman period right through to the present day extreme economic, social and environmental challenges, especially true during the present time of conflict locally and regionally. Ola was able to share insights amongst several items, both from a Masters student’s perspective as well as an educational leader’s perspective, including the evaluation of schools and the decisions leaders must take with unfortunate trade-offs occasionally required too. This was particularly helpful as IC continues to support the Ministry’s selected IB PYP public schools on their authorisation journey. Up next: The perspective of education which sits outside of the traditional public and private sectors, including NFE and informal teaching and learning for refugee children. Episode abbreviations: AEM - Africa, Europe & Middle EastAUB - American University of BeirutCERD - Center for Educational Research and DevelopmentCIS - Council of International SchoolsGPE - Global Partnership for EducationIEFG - International Education Funders Group INEE - Inter-Agency for Education in Emergencies LAU - Lebanese American UniversityMEHE - Ministry of Education & Higher EducationNEASC - New England Association of Schools & CollegesNFE - Non-Formal EducationPYP - Primary Years Programme USJ - University of Saint Joseph 

President of International College Dr. Tobin Wait kicked off the podcast on November 4th. IC’s Director of Outreach Richard Bampfylde joined Dr. Wait in IC’s Audio Room on the Ras Beirut campus. IC’s President was able to share the ‘why’ behind this new initiative, in support of Lebanon’s education sector. Qualitative research will support an education funding research and policy paper by summer 2027 and the series aims to help galvanise financial support for students in the country and region. Dr. Wait shared the school’s Mission, Vision, Theme and Values and emphasised the IC Board of Trustees’ stewardship of IC, especially so during such a turbulent period in its 125-year history. He shared the new direction for IC Outreach, including comprehensive support of 12 Ministry-selected public schools aiming for IB PYP authorisation. Dr. Wait also went into detail on IC’s pivot, under the leadership of the Board, to renewable energy (solar in particular) and raised awareness on the increasingly important role of Wellbeing on campus and within the community. The Positivity Project’s 24 Character Traits include ‘Other People Matter’, a code all community members aim to live by each and every day. Up next: A deeper dive into these 3Es from the World Bank’s study on education funding as well as a look at the historical perspective and the difficult decisions education leaders must take (including trade offs) when aiming to equitably, effectively and efficiently allocate financial resources, including a look into the PYP candidacy journey for these public schools. Episode abbreviations:CAS - Creativity, Activity, Service ESD - Education for Sustainable Development IB - International BaccalaureateMEHE - Ministry of Education & Higher EducationOPM - Other People MatterPYP - Primary Years Programme 

In the first episode of The Education Funding Best Practices, IC President Dr. Tobin I. Wait opens the conversation on education funding in Lebanon and the wider Arab region. Watch this space for the full episode, coming soon.