New possibilities for Kenyan education innovation – AKF Kenya and Schools2030 at the ReimaginED Conference 2023 

19 December 2023
By Sarah James

The annual ReimaginED conference, hosted towards the end of the year in Nairobi, brings together education practitioners, funders, policymakers and caregivers to collectively explore innovative approaches to education. For the second year in a row, the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) Kenya partnered with hosts, METIS, to explore this year’s theme: challenges and opportunities in implementing Kenya’s Competency-based Curriculum (CBC), as well as to showcase innovations emerging from the Schools2030 programme in the country.

The Schools2030 team was represented by ten teachers, one youth partner and five AKF team members. One of the teachers took part in a panel discussion on sharing innovative approaches to promoting equity and inclusion within the CBC. Two other teachers showcased the innovations they have created as a result of Schools2030’s Human-Centred Design (HCD) workshops to the 100+ delegates who attended the event. The AKF team, led by the Madrasa Early Childhood Programme, facilitated a session on teacher-led innovations and how they are supporting implementation of the CBC.

The photos below give a flavour of the two-day event, which included external site visits, a youth panel and an awards ceremony honouring innovative education practitioners.

This year, participants had the option to choose from eight incredible site visit options, ranging from inclusive ECD centres to a programme that provides life skills education through dance.

 

Participants had the option to visit the Action Foundation, a community-driven organisation that equips teachers with the skills required to support learners with disabilities in schools.

Cheza Cheza, one of the site visit options, creates access to safe spaces for children in marginalised communities where dance supports their mental health and well-being.

During the Youth Panel, participants had a chance to hear from current learners on the challenges they face and their advice to parents.

AKF and MECP led a Collective Conversation on Teacher-Led Innovation, giving participants a taste of HCD.

Several education champions were honoured during the annual ReimaginED Awards.

Participants attempting to take a group photo to close out the event!

Photos: Black Sky Lenses

Find out more about Schools2030 Kenya’s latest innovations

Schools2030 is a ten-year participatory learning improvement programme based in 1,000 government schools across ten countries. Schools2030 supports teachers and students to design and implement education micro-innovations. These low-cost and scaleable innovations will inform and transform education systems to improve holistic learning outcomes for the most marginalised learners worldwide. Join the movement on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.