Nairobi — Rosemary Bosibori Onyancha, a dedicated teacher at Moi Forces Academy Lanet in Lanet, Nakuru City, Kenya, has been awarded the African Union's Continental Best Teacher Award. Ms. Onyancha was recognized for her exceptional contributions to education, marking her as one of the outstanding teachers on the African continent.
On World Teachers' Day, which was celebrated on October 5, the African Union Commission and UNESCO IICBA hosted an event to honor teachers. Ms. Onyancha was among eight remarkable educators from various African nations, including Ghana, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa, who were celebrated for their exceptional work.
In an interview conducted by UNESCO IICBA, Ms. Onyancha shared her passion for teaching and her commitment to enhancing education. She highlighted several aspects, including her dedication to incorporating technology into education to prepare students for the digital age, addressing educational disparities, promoting STEM education, fostering collaborations among teachers, and exploring emerging technologies like Generative Artificial Intelligence.
Teachers play a pivotal role in a nation's development. Education, as a form of human capital, significantly contributes to a nation's wealth and progress. Investing in education is crucial for a country's future, and outstanding teachers like Ms. Onyancha are essential in achieving this goal.
However, teacher shortages remain a significant challenge worldwide, including in Kenya. The theme for this year's World Teachers' Day is "The teachers we need for the education we want: The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage." This emphasizes the urgency of addressing the shortage of qualified teachers, particularly in the context of increasing educational attainment and population growth in African nations.
Efforts to reduce teacher shortages and enhance the teaching profession should focus on improving working conditions, ensuring quality pre-service education, offering continuous professional development, and establishing clear career paths and related competencies for teachers. These steps will contribute to the advancement of education and, ultimately, the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
As the world continues to work toward improving education, teachers like Rosemary Bosibori Onyancha play a vital role in shaping the future by nurturing young minds and promoting excellence in education.
