Talking of fabric: a multi‐dimensional model of quality in education

Abstract

‘Improving quality’ has become a key phrase in policy and academic discourses on education in low‐income countries, reflecting concerns that the success in increasing enrolment and widening access to schooling is being undermined by low‐quality teaching and learning, and subsequent low levels of skills and knowledge among school leavers. We wish to revitalise discussions problematising ‘quality’ through examining current debates on and available frameworks for understanding the concept and proposing a new framework. We model ‘quality’ as a stretched ‘fabric’ maintained in tension through a contextually appropriate balance across seven conceptual dimensions. We recognise tensions and complementarities among the dimensions and the centrality of values inherent in making judgements of quality, that quality is a matter of process rather than product, and that this complex process demands a strategic approach. Finally, we recognise two issues that remain to be addressed in a future agenda.

Keywords:

• quality
• basic education
• low‐income countries
• sustainability
• relevance
• effectiveness
• reflexivity
• sustainable development
• Millennium Development Goals
• Education for All
• Global Monitoring Report
• Balanced Scorecard

Acknowledgements

Preliminary research for this paper took place in the context of discussions among members of the EdQual research consortium, funded by the UK Department for International Development. We are grateful to our EdQual colleagues for their comments and contributions, particularly Dr Angeline Barrett. Thanks are also due to Bill Scott and the Centre for Research in Education and the Environment at the University of Bath, colleagues from the sub‐Saharan Environmental Education Research network, colleagues and students at Rhodes University in South Africa, and two anonymous referees whose comments made us think through our ideas more carefully.