Introduction to the Accelerated Education Introductory Teacher Training Pack

In conflict affected communities, access to inclusive quality education is not guaranteed, infact the provision of education is among the first public service that suffers in protracted conflicts such that many children and youth are unable to access education for longer period of time. this necessiates use of different approaches to ensure chidlren return to schooling amid the setbacks, so the Accelerated education programs (AEPs) is the prefered method in many of those contexts, these programs offer flexible, age - approprtiate curriculum to ensure those children who miss out can recover the years in accelerated format. 

What are the AEPs 

AEPs are flexible, age-appropriate programmes, run in an accelerated timeframe, which aim to provide
access to education for disadvantaged, over-age, out-of-school children and youth – particularly those who
missed out on, or had their education interrupted due to poverty, marginalisation, conflict and crisis. The
goal of accelerated education programmes is to provide learners with equivalent, certified competencies
for basic education using effective teaching and learning approaches that match their level of cognitive
maturity.3
AEPs emphasise acceleration of a curriculum, and allow students to complete a certified, equivalent level of
education in a shortened time frame. This requires increased and more effective time on task, an emphasis
on literacy and numeracy with a socio-emotional learning component and oftentimes, removal of non-core
subjects. Programmes also often demonstrate flexibility to meet the unique needs of the learners they
aim to serve – both in relation to timetabling and location of instruction. The intention of this flexibility is
to enable students to study in a way and at a level appropriate to their ability, age and circumstance. On
completion of an AEP, the intention is for learners to reintegrate into the formal schooling system, enter
into skills-based technical and vocational education, or to enter directly into the workforce, but with core
literacy and numeracy skills in place.
There are varied structures of an AEP, and they vary in their pace of acceleration, the age range they target,
and the approach to teaching and learning that they employ. While AEPs normally cover most or all of
primary education, some AEPs have also been extended to the secondary level.
It is important to note that AEPs are distinct from other forms of alternative education. The chart below
may help programme designers, policy makers, donors and national governments to identify if AEPs are the
right response.