Twaweza’s Positive Deviance inquiry unearths six critical school, teacher-driven strategies to promote learning

In districts with historically low learning outcomes, a Twaweza study has identified schools that are performing well despite having no extra access to resources or other privileges.

These schools stand out as strong performers in difficult contexts. The schools and their strategies were identified through a rigorous research process called Positive Deviance.

The findings were released by Twaweza in a research brief titled ‘How are some children learning when most are not? Positive Deviance in Uganda’s Primary Schools,”

During the report launch on Tuesday in Kampala, Julius Atuhurra, Twaweza said the brief is based on a qualitative investigation of 17 schools in 10 purposely selected districts using the Positive Deviance methodology.

“These observations were collected during one week per school in the second half of 2017 and early 2018. The resulting findings were validated in community sessions involving the study schools and others in the area,” noted Atuhurra.

The Positive Deviance inquiry unearthed six critical school and teacher driven strategies to promote learning.

The strategies include promoting community involvement in schools, encouraging a culture of effort, openness and achievement in schools as well as ensuring children achieve mastery in schools.

Others include; Teacher support and motivation in schools, engaging school bodies and teachers caring for and prioritizing learner needs.

At the same launch, The Uganda National Teachers Union (Unatu) General Secretary Filbert Baguma said Positive Deviance can be used to identify talents of teachers which in turn could be used to improve the quality of Education in the country’s primary schools.

“It is possible we can do it, but how do we do it? It is a question we should address and once we do, we shall have a system that produces the quality of Education we want,” said Baguma.

Adding, “The Positive Deviance strategy can be used in identifying a good Education management system which can help in placing the best talents where they can continuously perform their best to inspire others.”