Applying Theory of Political Science and IR to Globalization of Education Policy

2016 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K13211
• Research Institution: International Christian University
• Principal Investigator: DAWSON Walter 国際基督教大学, 教養学部, 准教授 (70586445)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: Education / Development / Japan / Cambodia / JICA / Math Education / Science Education

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

In March, I went on a research trip to Bangkok, Thailand and Phnom Penh, Cambodia. While I was in Phnom Penh I met with staff from JICA Cambodia and teacher trainers and consultants in the National Institute of Education. In Bangkok, I met and interviewed staff of UNESCO and the World Bank to learn about trends in education policy and ODA in the Southeast Asian region. These interviews were then transcribed and analyzed. This data is being compiled for preparation of academic articles and a book on Japan's ODA for education in Cambodia. I have been asked to chair a session at the Japan Education Research Association conference in the summer, so I hope to present about this research and recruit other presenters to present on similar topics with the idea of a co-edited volume in the future. In these interviews I learned that the Japanese government will be leading an initiative to expand teacher education for math and science teachers in Cambodia. Currently, the required degree is a 2-year degree but that will be expanded to a 4-year degree with the purpose of improving teacher quality. This will present an interesting case in that it might necessitate transferring a 4-year teacher education program model to Cambodia from Japan which would be an interesting case study to investigate in light of the current debate concerning globalization of education policy.

Current Status of Research Progress

1: Research has progressed more than it was originally planned.

Reason

The researcher was able to interview key stakeholders at both multilateral and bilateral agencies which provide aid for educational development. The researcher was able to take the next step in conducting research on the project by interviewing the teacher trainers who are key to the next step of the project. This includes observing the activities of the project to understand the outcomes at a deeper level. The next step will be to focus on the publication of findings as all the data is collected. It is not possible at this time to present or publish shorter articles as the goal is to produce a longer treatise on the research topic.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

A research trip to Phnom Penh is planned for June of this year. The purpose is to continue field research working with the stakeholders of the math and science teacher training program. Efforts will be made to ascertain to what degree the project has had an effect on teaching methodologies and effectiveness for math and science education in Cambodia. Furthermore, the next research project will focus on the intention of the Cambodian government to expand teacher certification requirements, with the help of JICA, from a 2-year to a 4-year degree program.

Causes of Carryover

This year I was unable to conduct as much field research as I would have liked to because of scheduling difficulties due to personal issues.

Expenditure Plan for Carryover Budget

As this will be the final year of the grant my intention is to make the most use of the remaining funds to gather any relevant data which I currently lack to move on to the publishing phase.