Education Programs in Post-Conflict Environments: a Review from Liberia, Sierra Leone, and South Africa

Abstract

espanol La educacion debe ser considerada como uno de los principales mecanismos para que gobiernos y naciones tengan exito en un proceso de post-conflicto. El proposito de este articulo de revision es doble: explicar la importancia de la educacion en situacion de posconflicto y describir algunas estrategias que sociedades en posconflicto han implementado. En terminos de diseno de la investigacion, un enfoque multiple estudio de caso se ha aplicado y el articulo revisa un topico unico, con referencia especifica a los planes de educacion implementados en sociedades en posconflicto tales como Liberia, Sierra Leona y Sudafrica. Cada uno ha experimentado conflictos violentos y ha utilizado la educacion como herramienta para tener exito en su proceso de posconflicto. En suma, hay varios programas educativos que involucran a ninos, jovenes, sobrevivientes, padres, maestros y comunidades locales, asi como planes de estudios centrados en la ensenanza de valores culturales y habilidades tecnicas para mejorar la calidad de vida en un entorno de posconflicto. EnglishEducation should be considered as one of the mechanisms for governments and nations to succeed in a post-conflict process. The purpose of this Review Article is twofold: to explain the importance of education in a post-conflict setting, and to describe a few strategies that post-conflict societies have implemented. In terms of research design, a multiple case study approach has been implemented. The paper reviews a unique topic with specific reference to education plans implemented in post-conflict societies such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, and South Africa. Each of them has experienced violent conflicts and has used education as a tool to succeed in their post-conflict process. In sum, there are several educational programs that involve children, young people, survivors, parents, teachers, and local communities as well as curriculums focused on teaching of cultural values and technical skills to improve the quality of life in a post-conflict setting.