Educationists challenged to apply for continental achievement medal

Simi Nwogugu, CEO of Junior Achievement Africa.[Courtesy]

Kenyan education stakeholders and change-makers across the globe have been urged to take on a new challenge by applying for the Africa Education Medal as the submission for 2024 nears.

The Africa Education Model recognizes the efforts of individuals transforming the education sector across the continent by celebrating their stories of achievements.

The programee is funded by T4 education and HP as the award is given to an outstanding individual with demonstratable impact, leadership, and advocacy in education.

Mayank Dhingra, Senior Education Business Leader at HP said that there is a need to bring forth ideas to solve the learning gaps in Africa that can help accelerate digital equity for 150 million people globally by 2030.

"Despite the progress made towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals, significant learning gaps persist in Africa and COVID has greatly exacerbated learning poverty.

But there is hope if leaders from across the continent come together, with everyone sharing their expertise to help build a continent in which every child receives a quality education", said Dhingra.

Vikas Pota, founder and Chief Executive Officer of T4 Education noted that good education is a right emphasizing the need to solve the teacher recruitment and retention crisis in Kenya.

Pota said that the winner of this year's medal will be given a global platform to support their work.

"That's why the winner of the Africa Education Medal 2024 will not only be given a platform to advocate for their work but the right to nominate a school to join our Best School to Work programme, enabling schools to build a culture in which education flourishes because teachers thrive", said Pota.

The Africa Education Medal is open to individuals working to improve early childhood, K-12, vocational, and university education who are either educators or school leaders, civil society leaders, public servants and government officials, political leaders, as well as entrepreneurs, business leaders, and technologists.

According to Simi Nwogugu, the CEO of Junior Achievement Africa (JA) and winner of the Africa Education Medal 2023, Africa has many inspirational leaders whose stories can inspire thousands more towards continued transformation of lives through education for a brighter African future.

The top 10 finalists for the Africa Education Medal will be announced in August, and the winner will be announced in September.

Nominees will be assessed by a jury comprising prominent individuals based on rigorous criteria.

Nominations including self-nominations can be made online at @africaeducationmedal.org and close on April 30, 2024.