Kenyan Teacher Honoured with African Union Continental Best Teacher Award.
By Sylvester Rono
Kenya is celebrating a proud moment after a Baringo County teacher was crowned the winner of the prestigious African Union Continental Best Teacher Award, a recognition that celebrates innovation and excellence in education across Africa.
Jepkosgei Chemoywa, a Mathematics and Physics teacher at Emining Boys High School in Mogotio, beat dozens of contestants from across the continent to clinch the top award. She was honoured for her creativity and resilience, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when schools were shut down.
Speaking at an ICT integration workshop hosted by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) at Egerton University on Wednesday (September 10) Jepkosgei said the recognition was the result of teamwork and determination.
“When schools closed, we had to think fast. We held crash training sessions in the mornings, and by evening, we were teaching on Zoom. We grouped learners for virtual classes and trained a few to support others, especially the Form Four candidates preparing for exams,” she said.
With limited internet and devices in rural areas, Jepkosgei and her colleagues designed an improvised online learning program that kept hundreds of students engaged. The initiative not only maintained academic progress but also boosted digital literacy among both learners and teachers.
The AU praised her for “demonstrating innovation, adaptability, and passion for teaching in the face of unprecedented challenges.”
TSC hailed the achievement as a win for Kenya’s education system, noting that it aligns with ICT-driven reforms under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Colleagues describe Jepkosgei as a teacher whose passion goes beyond the classroom. She, in turn, dedicated the award to all teachers who go the extra mile and urged governments to invest in ICT infrastructure.
“This award is not just for me but for every teacher who has chosen innovation to transform lives,” she said.
