Global Peace Foundation Kenya in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Standard Group PLC, SKY Girls Kenya, Oracle Academy, World Vision Kenya, eMobilis Mobile Technology Institute, UNESCO, Plan International and other partners successfully launched the transforming education summit 2022 as one of its major signature programs in using education as a tool for peacebuilding. This program which is an annual accumulation of transforming education series, focuses on bringing together stakeholders in education to discuss and come up with ways to improve the quality of education. The platform enables stakeholders to deliberate on education trends and share best practices and recommendations that improve the quality of learning in our schools. The summit assembles partners across multiple sectors and provides guidance and support for educators to transform education by integrating ethics and workplace skills into secondary and tertiary education to raise up the character, creativity, and leadership skills of their students as well as educators.
The colourful event which was hybrid went down at the BOMA, Hotel, Nairobi on 27th July, 2022 and was attended by dignitaries from different education-based institutions who deliberated and gave recommendations on different sessions as provided under the theme of the year. The summit which was centered on “Role of Stakeholders in Transforming Education for the Future,” gave an opportunity for the panelists to address six sessions segmented into the following discussion points:
- Policy Frameworks and Curriculum Development
- Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in Aiding Education Transformation
- Trends and the Future of Learning and Workforce
The event was graced by Dr. Julius Jwan, Principal Secretary, State Department for Early Learning and Basic Education, Ministry of Education who was represented by Ms. Evelyne Ooko, Education Officer, Ministry of Education. In his speech, Dr. Jwan expressed the commitment of the government through the ministry of education in ensuring a fully transformed education through adoption of relevant policy frameworks that can shape the future of our learners. “The government of Kenya is committed to ensuring access to inclusive and equitable quality education and training as well as promoting life learning opportunities for all,” said Dr. Jwan.
On behalf of Global Peace Foundation, Dr. Tony Devine who is the Vice President of Education, addressed the summit by highlighting different aspects through which the organization has strived to ensure education globally matches the 21st century skills and competencies through Character and Creativity, Great Places To School, Leap Hubs and Transforming Education Series initiatives. The same was echoed by the Global Peace Foundation Kenya, Executive Director, Mr. Daniel Juma Omondi who acknowledged the need for representatives from different organizations to work together in realizing education that not only solves our problems but also focuses on the future of the learners and emerging world trends. “Education is the most crucial sector that the world needs to focus on as one way of building a strong social-economic wellbeing of different countries,” said Juma.
Use of technology in education dominated the discussions with the call for learning institutions especially at the tertiary level to use latest innovative and technology-based platform to simplify learning processes. Giving his speech on the same, Mr. Danny Gooris, Director, Oracle Academy EMEA, explained the significance of using Oracle Academy cloud program by educators and learners to improve the output of learning practices. He further elaborated on how Oracle Academy is making an impact in Kenyan tertiary institutions through trainings in collaboration with the Global Peace Foundation Kenya.
The 1st session on “Policy Frameworks and Curriculum Development,” brought together Mr. Frank Otieno, Manager, Newspaper in Education, The Standard Group PLC as the Moderator with the following speakers:
- Ms. Jane Nyaga, Assistant Director, Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development
- Dr. Philliph M. Mutisya, Ed.D. Professor of Education, North Carolina Central University
- Ms. Martha Odundo, Deputy Director of Education, Office of the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education Kenya
The session discussed and elaborated on concepts of developing viable policy frameworks that fit Kenya’s education curriculum. It also extended further to look at strides that have been made in the sector and necessary reforms that can make our education more competitive.
The 2nd session focused on the “Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in Aiding Education Transformation.” The session discussed, elaborated and gave recommendations that can elevate the quality of education in our schools and offer equal access to a brighter future. It was moderated by Ms. Sofina Merinyo, Education Champion, Inspire Teenagers Foundation and brought together top panelists including:
- Ms. Ida Nganga, Regional Head, UNESCO Emerging Technologies for Development
- Ms. Ellenah Wangui, Project Manager for Let’s Play and Learn Project, World Vision Kenya
- Deogratius Magero, Youth Empowerment & Employability Advisor, Plan International
- Mr. Suraj Shah, Lead, Regional Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning, Mastercard Foundation
- Mr. Bharat Tavares, Co-Founder and Director, Tandem Network
The 3rd session sub-themed “Use of Technology in Aligning E-Learning Implementation” was moderated by Ms. Sheila Waswa, Project Officer, Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa, while the speakers were:
- Ms. Bekere Amassoma, Oracle Academy, Programs Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa
- Mr. Kaitan Mbuya, Ubongo Country Representative, Kenya
- Mr. Snehar Shah, CFA, Chief Executive Officer, Moringa School
- Ms. Faith Gathungu, Chief Executive Officer, Young Engineers Kenya
- Ms. Lydia Muriithi, Assistant Director, Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa, focusing on how technology can be fully integrated in our learning institutions.
The 4th session which was moderated by Mr. Ed Magema, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Univus under the segment “Trends and the Future of Learning and Workforce” brought together;
- Mr. Patrick Teyie, Headmaster, Greensteds International School
- Ms. Linah Anyango, Chemistry and Biology Teacher, Merishaw School
- Ms. Mutheu Kasanga, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Lukenya University
- Felix Malombe, Executive Director, STEAMLabs Africa
The panelists discussed at length how we can blend our academic excellence with talents, innovation and ensure that classroom skills and knowledge match our workforce requirements and international standards while the 5th session addressed, “Accessibility and Inclusion in Education” with key speakers being:
- Ms. Faith Chelang’at, Head of Programs, Inuka Foundation for Development alongside the following panelists:
- Ms. Eva Naputuni Nyoike (OGW), Chairperson, Special Needs Education, Kenya Private Schools Association
- Mr. Maxwel Ojuoga, Program Manager, East Africa and Malawi, Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa
The speakers addressed the major concern on how to offer equal opportunity to all learners irrespective of their social economic background.
With just few days to Kenya’s general election, the final session was geared towards offering education on peacebuilding and developing a prosperous nation with our peace department giving opportunity to;
- Ms. Daisy Rono, Project Associate, Global Peace Foundation Kenya
- Ms. Mary Muchai, Co-Founding, Aqua Hub Kenya
- Mr. Albert Migowa, UNESCO Youth Member and Wellness Creator
The climax of the summit was the award and recognition of H.E Uhuru Kenyatta, E.G.H President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander –In –Chief of the Defense Forces for his effort in transforming education through the Competency-Based Curriculum. The same was extended to Prof. George Albert Omore Magoha, CBS Cabinet Secretary-Ministry of Education and Dr. Julius Jwan, Principal Secretary, State Department for Early Learning and Basic Education, Ministry of Education in their bold efforts in transforming Education in Kenya through 100 per cent Transition from Primary to Secondary schools and the rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum. Other institutions which got recognized in their efforts in transforming education were:
The Standard Group PLC, World Vision Kenya, SKY Girls Kenya, Oracle Academy, Plan International, Usawa Agenda, Foreign, Commonwealth & amp; Development Office, and Moringa School