Key Messages

  • International development policy aims to resolve the current learning crisis by accelerating action and transforming education systems. However, accelerating without first considering other transformative approaches could hinder sustainable education reform.
  • To prevent this, this policy brief proposes the ‘sustainable transformation framework’ which includes the alternative approaches of reflection, reimagination, and redirection.
  • We apply the framework to analyse national statements presented by Global South countries at the 2022 Transforming Education Summit (TES), and a survey of Southern education experts.
  • Our findings show policymakers and education experts to be aligned in favouring accelerating the building of schools and the integration of digital learning, and reflecting on the design of curricula that meet today’s needs. There were diverse views on the preferred approach to reforming the teaching profession.
  • Despite acceleration proving popular, the other transformative approaches were also favoured across various sectors. Stakeholders should therefore allocate resources to charting an evidence-based path for the sustainable transformation of national education systems.