Award For Education Research

"It is our responsibility to stimulate research, to identify issues and develop solutions."

The Commonwealth Institute and the Centre for Commonwealth Education have established an annual award of £3,000 for outstanding scholarship in education research.

The scheme, unveiled on 5 November 2004, aims to recognise and promote excellence and innovation in education in the Commonwealth. The first recipient will be announced on Commonwealth Day, 14 March 2005.

The inaugural award will go to the author of the best published book or article on aspects of fiscal decentralisation affecting primary and secondary education in Commonwealth countries. This pertains to research on regional or district-level financing of school systems, on community financing, public-private partnerships, alternative school-fee regimes, or private sector initiatives in educational provision or support.

Judith Hanratty, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Institute, said: "There will never be enough funding to keep pace with demand for education. It is our responsibility to stimulate research, to identify issues and develop solutions."

English language books or papers in refereed journals first published during the years 2002 to 2004 will be eligible. The criteria for choosing the winning entry are originality, academic excellence and the relevance of the work for educational policy in Commonwealth countries. The closing date for submissions is 15 January 2005.

The Centre for Commonwealth Education is a joint venture between the Commonwealth Institute and the Faculty of Education at Cambridge University, United Kingdom. Its main objective is to identify and share examples of educational best practice among Commonwealth countries.

Professor Christopher Colclough, former Director of the Global Monitoring Report on Education for All based at UNESCO in Paris, France, will take up position as the Centre's first director in January 2005.

 

CNIS - the Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 209  10 November 2004