IICBA’s Blog: Empowering Teachers for All Learners to Thrive

Teachers and Head-teachers Continuous Professional Development: Key Data Analysis for Quality Education Achievement in Sub-Saharan Africa

Astérie Nyirahabimana and Phumzile Magagula
December 18, 2023

Across sub-Saharan Africa, countries are working to ensure quality in their education systems, measured by the level of achievement in students’ learning outcomes. Quality of education hinges on numerous factors, with teachers and school leaders emerging as the most important change agents. While teachers play a pivotal role in shaping educational outcomes, many lack the necessary training to ensure effective learning among children; hence, there is an urgent need to prioritize teacher professional development and proficient school...

Inclusive Education: Reaching Children with Disabilities in Africa

Natalia Amelina, Florence Migeon, Justine Sass, Tao Zhan, and Quentin Wodon
December 4, 2023

December 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Children with disabilities continue to have different educational opportunities as other children, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where many countries struggle to ensure quality education for all. UNESCO is committed to inclusive education and is organizing two webinars today on this topic. The first on disability inclusion and gender equality in education is organized by UNESCO HQ together with Plan International...

China-Africa Deans of Education Forum Launches New South-South Knowledge Exchange Network on Teacher Education and Professional Development

By Liu Jing, Yuchi Zhao, and Quentin Wodon
November 20, 2023

On November 15, the China-Africa Deans of Education Forum was held in Beijing in the presence of two dozen Deans of Schools of Education from major universities in China and Africa. Hosted by Beijing Normal University (BNU), the Forum launched the China-Africa Deans of Education Network, a platform to promote south-south exchanges on education policy and teacher professional development.

The Forum was organized by the Faculty of Education of Beijing...

Ending Violence in School and Promoting Mental Health: Learning from Africa

Delia Mamon, Dipak Naker and Quentin Wodon
November 06, 2023

November 2, was the International Day against violence and bullying at school including cyberbullying. The theme this year was “No place for fear: Ending school violence for better mental health and learning.” .

Violence in schools is a major issue in Africa as well as globally, and there is a strong connection between such violence, mental health, and learning outcomes....

Strengthening The Teaching Profession: Lessons from Sierra Leone

Conrad Sackey and Quentin Wodon
October 23, 2023

World Teachers’ Day was observed last week on October 5. This is a Day to celebrate the essential contributions that teachers make to our children, communities, and society, but also a time to take stock of where we stand on ensuring that we attract the best into the teaching profession. Last week we held in Freetown a validation workshop for a new study by UNESCO IICBA on professional standards and competencies for teachers and school leaders. The study was led by Steve Nwokeocha and Aminata Sessay...

Educating Girls and Ending Child Marriage and Early Childbearing: A Priority for Nigeria

Claris Ujam and Quentin Wodon
October 12, 2023

Mrs. S. was married as a child, became pregnant, and was abandoned by her husband. She gave birth under very difficult circumstances, suffering from obstetric fistula. Her child suffered from palsy and died a few months after birth. Her story was told by Hon. Dr. Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, who ...