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Supporting Intra-Sectoral Collaboration in the Primary Education Sector in Northern Nigeria

By Michael Watts

Mistrust between practitioners and academics in Northern Nigeria’s primary education sector has severely limited the potential for intra-sectoral collaborations that could lead to the development of robust policy-focused research. This paper examines a Research Capacity Strengthening Strategy (RCSS) intended to bring the two sub-sectors together. The RCSS had five components: (i) engaging in policy-driven research; (ii) partnership; (iii) mentoring; (iv) repeated policy feedback; and (v) hands-on support. These components are examined here in the context of a collaborative study aimed at generating policy recommendations for the identification, recruitment, and deployment of effective primary school teachers. The RCSS was a success but it highlighted the problem of intra-sectoral mistrust. It was evaluated through a qualitative case study. Here that mistrust and its resolution are explored and explained with reference to social identity theory. Although the findings are context-specific, they have considerable significance for addressing concerns about intra-sectoral mistrust in and beyond Northern Nigeria. © 2023 Unisa Press.