ESTDEV Signs Partnership Agreement to Support Teacher Education Reforms in Kenya

Estonia’s teacher education model and best practices inspired the project’s local partners, the University of Embu and the Kenyan Education Deans Forum, to approach ESTDEV with a proposal to work toward these much-needed changes.

Since 2017, Kenya has been working on educational reforms, including the transition to competence-based curriculum and the development of related teaching education programmes. Kristi Kulu, ESTDEV’s programme manager for education, says competence-based education focuses on the acquisition of specific skills that can be demonstrated in real-world applications. She points out that the strength of this approach lies in placing the onus of learning on the learner.

“It is said that the methods and spirit of teaching are more important than the curriculum. Therefore, the key to success of these reforms is teacher education. Estonia’s experience in both the implementation of a competency-based curriculum and the promotion of teacher education provides added value to education reforms in Kenya. It is certainly a sign of confidence in the quality of Estonian education,” said Kulu.

The Kenyan and Estonian Ministries of Education of Estonia signed a memorandum of understanding back in 2022. This provides a framework for cooperation between the two countries. ESTDEV’s engagements with Kenyan education stakeholders have helped determine areas where Estonian expertise could best be put to use. Experts from Estonian universities will facilitate discussions to develop a roadmap for introducing the necessary reforms. The task for Kenyan universities responsible for teacher education is to align their current teacher education programmes with the reformed national curriculum for general education. Capacity building for teacher educators is one of the main priorities.

Katrin Winter, ESTDEV’s regional head for Africa, says the cooperation between ESTDEV and the University of Embu will be one whose positive impact will be felt for generations to come. “I am proud that the Estonian education system speaks for itself and that we have been trusted by the University of Embu and the Education Deans Forum to contribute to teacher education reforms in Kenya. The education deans have a strong commitment to and passion for education. They have come together to support their government in pushing through these important changes and are determined to act as agents of change,” said Winter.

According to Estonia’s Strategy for Africa for 2020–2030, education and research cooperation is a priority in and of itself, though it is also an overarching thematic priority in ESTDEV’s development cooperation. ESTDEV has successfully implemented numerous bilateral projects, while also working with European Union partners on the design and implementation of large-scale projects, thereby increasing the awareness of Estonia’s educational value proposition among our Eastern neighbours and partner countries in Africa.