This archive report was first published on 16 May 2020.
May 16, 2020 - The Covid-19 pandemic has ravaged the education sector, affecting over 1.5 billion learners globally. In response, African top tutors, including 2019 Global Teacher Award winner Peter Tabichi, have called for a long-term education plan to address the challenges faced by learners during this period.
Brother Tabichi, a Franciscan Brother and teacher of Mathematics and Physics at Keriko Secondary School in Pwani Village, Nakuru County, won the Sh100 million prize for turning around the fortunes of poor students who went on to win prizes at national and international science and engineering fairs.
He was among 20 African Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize finalists who met virtually on Friday to address the challenges in the education sector. The virtual summit on coronavirus and the future of education in Africa was organised by the Varkey Foundation, a member of the United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) Education Coalition.
“Governments should find solutions to help children continue with education at home, especially for millions of learners across Africa who lack internet access,” said Brother Tabichi. “When the pandemic ends, governments must protect education budgets to ensure we do not lose the future to protect the present,” he added.
Other leading African teachers who joined Brother Tabichi included South African history teacher Marjorie Brown, Tanzanian Science and Mathematics teacher Malima Chisumo, Sierra Leone’s Miriam Mason-Sesay, Ghana’s Sitsofe Anku, and Nigeria’s Itodo Anthony.
They urged governments to deliver quality remote education and cautioned against any cuts to education budgets. They also called for a review of the current curricula and testing methods when schools reopen around the world.
Unesco assistant Director-General for Education, Stefania Giannini, welcomed the teachers’ call, saying it was timely and vital. “Governments must listen and act decisively to ensure that every student receives their birthright of a good education, even when their schools are closed,” she said.
