Dudziro Nhengu, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe

The devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic helped to shed light on the hidden challenges of global education systems. The lockdown period in turn presented reasons for ensuring preparedness for education and learning in times of crisis. The sudden switch to online learning on one hand enabled education and learning, but only to those who could access technology, while it also worsened existing inequalities between the affluent and those at the margins. This dynamic proved that technology alone cannot address the challenges of education and learning during pandemics and crisis, unless supported by other enablers. To address these challenges, this research explored the intersections of technology, infrastructure, collaboration, and community engagement in transforming education systems. Focusing on the African context, this study aims to identify context-specific strategies for building resilience and strengthening education systems. This research fills a critical knowledge gap in existing literature by providing context-specific case studies from Africa, a region previously underrepresented. Through in-depth analysis, this study uncovers the intricate challenges confronting education systems and presents actionable recommendations for harnessing technology, infrastructure, collaboration, and community engagement to drive transformative change in education. The findings emphasize the need for a multi-stakeholder approach, collective action, and shared responsibility among various stakeholders to mitigate pandemic and natural disaster disruptions.

COVID-19 pandemic, Education systems, Resilience, Equity, Effectiveness