Intl. Baccalaureate To Host African Education Festival In Accra

On Friday, February 16, 2018, the International Baccalaureate (IB), a leader in international education, will host its inaugural African Education Festival in Accra, at the Labadi Beach Hotel, Ghana from 8:00am to 6:00pm under the theme of Leading and Learning in the 21st Century.

Eminent education experts, including policymakers, principals and administrators from across Africa will gather to share and learn about global best practices in education, with the aim of enhancing teaching and learning within schools.

Partnering the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to host the event, delegates and thought leaders in education will discuss current education trends, as well as explore innovation in education practice, capturing key developments in both education leadership and learning.

Speaking ahead of the event, Jon Halligan, IB's Head of Development and Recognition for Africa, Europe and the Middle East, said: “We decided to host our inaugural African Education Festival as part of our efforts to share best global practices in education across Africa.

“The event is designed to encourage educational leaders to develop globally competitive learners, through enhanced teaching and learning. We are proud to have partnered with UNESCO to host the Festival and to share its objective to enhance the quality of education and educational leadership.”

The one-day conference comprises panel discussions on topics such as promoting intercultural awareness, each of which will be moderated by seasoned educators, with panelists including principals, university officials and educators from schools across the continent.

Festival attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a number of interactive workshops, which are to cover topics such as best practice in leading and learning in an African context and creating professional learning communities.

Keynote speakers include Dr. Patrick Awuah, President of Ashesi University, who, in recognition of his service to Ghana, was awarded Membership of the Order of the Volta by His Excellency, President J.A. Kufuor, in July 2007, along with receiving a WISE (World Innovation Summit for Education) award in 2017. Innovation Summit for Education) award in 2017.

Ghana’s international IB school community shall be strongly represented at the conference, with staff, students and alumni of Tema International School, Lincoln Community School, SOS-Hermann Gmeiner International College, Association International School, Morgan International School and Al Rayan International School participating in panel discussions, IB memoir sharing and performances.

Additionally, it is worthy to note that in the spirit of improving Ghana’s education, the Ghana Education Service (GES), shall also be participating in the conference, especially since the Tema International School has sponsored five heads of Ghana’s national high schools, to attend the event.

Apiorkor Seyiram AshongAbbey of Citi FM, who is passionate about education and is herself an IB alumna and the first Head Girl of Tema International School (TIS), will be present at the conference to share her experiences about how an international IB education can be useful for pursuing a career in Ghana.

Delegates will also hear from the highly-respected school principal and author of Understanding Prejudice and Education: The Challenge for Future Generations, Dr. Conrad Hughes, who will discuss the guiding principles for learning in the 21st century.

Adzo Ashie, IB's Recognition Manager for Africa, said: “The African Education Festival is a fitting celebration of education in the year that the IB is also celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Diploma Programme –first taught in Africa in 1977 – which is offered by 98 IB World Schools in 29 countries across the continent.

Africa's youth population is projected to be the largest in the world, and so harnessing the potential of our young people is key to the continent's development.

Through a range of seminars, workshops and keynote speakers, delegates will consider how to promote international-mindedness; lifelong learning; and inclusive, yet innovative, learning spaces to truly engage and inspire students with their learning and prepare them for life and work after school.”

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