Research Initiatives

Teaching and Learning in Fragile Contexts (TLFC) – Research Grants

Teaching and Learning in Fragile Contexts (TLFC) was a four-year (2022-2026) project funded by Global Affairs Canada. The project had two components which were linked but implemented separately. The first component was an education improvement initiative in Sierra Leone and Liberia which sought to enhance pre-service education of teachers through improved practicums and pedagogy. The second component was an Africa-wide research project that focused on literacy learning in refugee and displaced contexts. Overall, the TLFC project aimed to improve learning outcomes for early grade learners in fragile, refugee and displacement contexts. There was a particular focus on gender equality and inclusion in primary-level education programming for girls.

The TLFC research component supported situated and transferable research on quality teaching and culturally relevant reading materials. The project also facilitated access and use of the research by African education sector policymakers and practitioners to improve sustainable literacy and learning outcomes for children in African Refugee and IPD contexts. This component of the TLFC project built on CODE’s Context Matters Research Program. Twenty research grants were awarded in 2024 and 2025.

TLFC Research summaries for teaching and learning in emergencies

Trauma-informed pedagogy

Digital tools

Play-based learning

Teaching innovations

Teacher experiences

TLFC 2024 Research Grant Recipients

Dr. Etta Aki
University of Buea, Cameroon
Research Project:
Effects of culturally enhanced activity approach (CEAA) in enhancing learning outcomes of internally displaced children in Fako Division, Southwest Region of Cameroon
Policy Brief Full Report/Article

Dr. George Areba
Kisii University, Kenya
Research Project:
Adapting mobile technology to enhance access to quality, equitable and inclusive education in fragile contexts: Evidence from Kakuma Refugee Camp Primary Schools, Kenya
Policy Brief Full Report/Article

Dr. Gabriel Egbe
Veritas University, Nigeria
Research Project:
Quality education for IDPs: Phonological awareness as foundational literacy umbrella
Policy Brief Full Report/Article

Dr Marvin Ggaliwango
Makerere University, Uganda
Research Project:
Generative AI for accelerated competency-based teacher training in crisis contexts (GAI-ACT)
Policy Brief Full Report/Article

Prof. Colomba Muriungi
Chuka University, Kenya
Research Project:
Leveraging the multilingual classroom realities for grade 3 learners’ literacy development in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya
Policy Brief Full Report/Article

Dr. Betty Okot
Makerere University, Uganda
Research Project:
Assessing the feasibility of introducing playful parenting intervention for enhancing school readiness, foundational literacy and numeracy in a crisis context in Uganda
Policy Brief Full Report/Article

Dr. Loise Wambui Gichuhi
University of Nairobi, Kenya
Research Project:
Testing the promotive and protective potential of psychological needs satisfaction framework against teacher occupational stress in fragile contexts in Kenya
Policy Brief Full Report/Article

Prof. Belay Tefera Kibret
Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
Research Project:
Early childhood care and education for internally displaced children in Ethiopia: Access to holistic quality services, child development outcomes and policy implications
Policy Brief Full Report/Article

Dr Raymond Chegedua Tangonyire
University of the Cape Coast, Ghana
Research Project:
Interrogating Teaching and learning practices in flood-affected basic schools in the Volta Region of Ghana
Policy Brief Full Report/Article

Prof. Alphonse Uworwabayeho
University of Rwanda, Rwanda
Research Project:
Riding the waves to quality and inclusive education amidst displaced learners through trauma-informed teaching approach: A case of Mahama Refugee Camp
Policy Brief Full Report/Article

TLFC 2025 Research Grant Recipients

Dr. Wisdom Agbevanu
University of the Cape Coast, Ghana
Research Project:
A phenomenological exploration of stakeholder agentic efforts towards achieving quality education in the conflict-laden Bawku Municipality of Ghana
Policy Brief Full Report/Article

Dr. Rahila Gowon
University of Jos, Nigeria
Research Project:
Responsive pedagogy and functional literacy: Enhancing socio-economic outcomes for internally displaced children in Benue and Plateau States, Nigeria
Policy Brief Full Report/Article

Dr. Theodore Habimana
Institut d’Enseignement Supérieur (INES) de Ruhengeri , Rwanda
Research Project:
Leveraging telecommunication models and policy frameworks to enhance literacy and learning outcomes in refugee camps in Rwanda
Policy Brief Full Report/Article

Dr. Belay Hagos Hailu
Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
Research Project:
Effects of play-based accelerated learning program on literacy, numeracy and socio-emotional skills of internally displaced out-of-school children in Ethiopia
Policy Brief Full Report/Article

Dr. Tadesse Jaleta Jirata
Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
Research Project:
Play-based early grade literacy development: Using indigenous play practices for improving literacy development in IDP contexts in Ethiopia
Policy Brief Full Report/Article

Dr. Justin Sheria Nfundiko
Catholic University of Bukavu, DRC
Research Project:
Mapping and analyzing the teaching and learning materials and implications for peace education literature in displacement contexts.
Policy Brief Full Report/Article

Dr. Lucy Wangui Njagi
University of Nairobi, Kenya
Research Project:
Teacher agency and curriculum reforms in crisis and fragile contexts: policy and practice in schools with refugees in Kenya
Policy Brief Full Report/Article

Dr. Betty Okot
Makerere University, Uganda
Research Project:
Reimagining the good classroom in the Ugandan refugee contexts: Assessing strategies for enhancing learners’ literacy skills and classroom practice
Policy Brief Full Report/Article

Dr. Ezekiel Nyambega Omwenga
Kisii University, Kenya
Research Project:
Enhancing leaners’ scientific literacy through the use of mobile science laboratories in grade 4 in Kakuma refugee camp
Policy Brief Full Report/Article

Dr. Paul Shebu Yaduma
Abubakar Tafawa Balew University, Nigeria
Research Project:
The role of digital learning in overcoming barriers to teaching and learning in fragile contexts in northeast Nigeria
Policy Brief Full Report/Article