Education and training
Locally Grounded Evidence for Real Learning and Work Outcomes
Education and training are central to human capital and inclusive growth. Yet many countries in the Global South face a learning crisis: rising enrolment has not translated into foundational literacy, numeracy, or durable labour-market outcomes.
Addressing this challenge demands policies grounded in rigorous, context-specific evidence.
As a Southern-led research network, PEP supports local researchers to generate insights that reflect the realities of their education systems. This includes examining structural barriers, such as the language of instruction, health constraints, and the transition from school to work. PEP-supported research also tests context-specific solutions so that investments in human capital development yield real learning, employability, and long-term opportunity.
Since 2016, initiatives such as Policy Analysis on Growth and Employment (PAGE) and the African Fellows in Education Program (AFEP) have generated extensive evidence on education systems, skills development, and labour market transitions in Africa and across the Global South.
What PEP research tells us about education and training
Integrated support improves outcomes
Training programmes are significantly more effective when combined with complementary interventions. Evidence from Kenya shows that integrating gender-sensitive soft-skills training into technical and vocational education improves school-to-work transitions and increases the likelihood of full-time employment—particularly for young women.
Socio-emotional skills matter in school and beyond
Academic success is closely linked to socio-emotional development. Research from South Africa shows that skills such as emotional regulation and self-management at school entry strongly predict later performance in literacy and mathematics.
Cognitive and socio-emotional skills also improve economic outcomes. Research from Indonesia shows that higher levels of problem-solving and adaptive thinking are associated with increased business productivity and growth.
Health is foundational to learning
Physical well-being is a critical enabler of educational success. Evidence from Tanzania shows that health interventions, such as malaria eradication, can lead to significant improvements in test scores, attendance and years of schooling.
Language shapes early learning
Children learn more effectively when the language of instruction aligns with their mother tongue. Evidence from Cameroon shows that phonetic similarity between home and instructional languages significantly improves early literacy outcomes.
From evidence to policy recommendations
PEP-supported research into education and training shows that integrated policy packages outperform isolated fixes and highlights four core policy priorities:
- Gender-responsive interventions to remove structural barriers such as gaps in childcare, technical education, and gender-sensitive training
- Education-labour market alignment where industry partnerships, structured work experience, and combined technical and soft-skill training improve job matching.
- Early investment in childhood development and strong foundational learning reduce inequality and deliver better lifetime returns.
- Cross-sectoral approaches that link education with health, social protection, and finance multiply impact and sustain learning gains.
Education & Training Evidence in Action
Education Initiatives
Explore the full list of PEP projects, publications, and researchers relevant to the theme of Education & Training below.
Projects
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Researchers
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Working Papers
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Policy Briefs
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