Essaw Samgwa’a

// DISSERTATION PROJECT

Education in emergency situations: A qualitative study on experiences of school leaders in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon

Education in emergency situations presents a unique set of challenges that necessitate adaptive leadership and resilient systems to ensure continuity and quality. This qualitative study explores the experiences of school leaders in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon, where an ongoing socio-political crisis has severely disrupted educational activities. Through in-depth interviews and qualitative content analysis, the research investigates the strategies employed by school leaders to manage the complexities of providing education in emergency situations. The findings indicate that school leaders prioritize the well-being of learners as they navigate the threats of violence, kidnappings, killings, displacement, and resource paucity while employing adaptive strategies, such as mobile schooling, identity camouflage/deceptive routing, community engagement, and alternative learning landscapes and methods. The study underscores the psychological and emotional impact on educators and learners, the resilience of school communities, the creativity of educational leaders, and the pressing need for policy interventions to support education in crisis settings. This study contributes to the expanding body of knowledge on education in emergencies, offering insights that can inform practice and policy in comparable contexts globally.

........................................................................................................................................................

// ACADEMIC BACKGROUND 

2017 - 2019
International Master Program of Educational Quality in Developing Countries (IMPEQ), Otto-Friedrich University Bamberg, Germany

2011 - 2012
Underwent secondary school teacher training at the Pedagogic In-Service Training Programme (ISTP), Cameroon

1992 - 1996
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Economics and a minor in Human Resource Management, University of Yaoundé II, Cameroon

1989 - 1991
General Certificate of Education Examination (GCE) Advanced Level in two subjects - Economics and Mathematics at Government High School (GHS) Mbengwi. Cameroon

1984 - 1989
GCE Ordinary Level in seven subjects: Economics, English Language, Literature, Geography, History, Mathematics, and Further Mathematics at Self-Reliance Comprehensive College (SRCC) Bali, Cameroon

........................................................................................................................................................

// RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS

Samgwa’a, E. (2021). “Professional capital: Perspectives of secondary school principals in Cameroon”. In Nyiramana, C., Gatwa, T., Krugull, K., Scheunpflug, A., and Uwimbabazi, P. (eds.), New perspectives in quality education in Sub-Saharan Africa,  Kigali: PIASS. 1-167.

Samgwa’a, E. and Fandio, M. N. (2025). “Professional capital and professional learning for peace education in Cameroon” (Forthcoming)

.......................................................................................................................................................

// CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS

Organized a two-day capacity development workshop for principals and managers of the Presbyterian schools in collaboration with ISTP Cameroon on the theme: “Strategic planning and school leadership transformation”. Facilitated two thematic areas: “School monitoring, evaluation and feedback” and “Preparing a strategic plan for the Presbyterian school system” at the PCC Synod Office Hall, Buea, Cameroon from the 13-14.02.2025.

Organized an orientation/pedagogic workshop for newly recruited teachers of Presbyterian secondary schools. Facilitated a session on “Achieving teaching quality through digitalization” at the PCC Synod Office Hall, Buea, Cameroon on the 27.09.2024.

Facilitated a training workshop for newly recruited teachers of the PEA on the theme: “The PEA teacher and quality teaching in the frame of digitalization” at the PCC Synod Office Hall, Buea, Cameroon on the 25.01.2024.

Organized and facilitated a training workshop for teachers of PSS Bafut and Presbyterian School of Science and Technology (PSST) Bafut, on the theme: “Transforming Teaching and Learning for Social Justice through Digitalization” at the PSS Bafut Centenary Hall, Cameroon on the 20.01.2024.

........................................................................................................................................................

// EXPERIENCE

Work experience

07/2023 – Today

• Research Assistant, Chair of Sociology, especially Family and work in the project “Do migrants in Europe age well? A mixed methods and intervention study in four countries - MIG-AGE”

05/2022 – 06/2023

• Research assistant at the City of Nuremberg, Social Welfare Office. Officer for addiction issues & member of the staff for poverty prevention and integration.

Academic Experience

03/2022 – 06/2022

• Student assistant at Leibnitz Institute for Educational Trajectories (LIfBi): Assessment 1: "Competences, Personality, learning environments”.

07/2021-12/2021

• Student assistant at the Institute for Labour Market and Occupational Research (IAB): Department "Labour Promotion and Employment"

04/2021-06/2021

Internship at the Institute for Employment Research (IAB): Department "Labour Promotion and Employment"