The African Union Commission has announces the launch of a new category for the teachers prize, the Rural Continental Teacher Award, the first of its kind within the African Union Continental Teacher Awards, (CTA), recognising the extraordinary contributions of teachers working in Africa’s rural and underserved communities.
According to the Union, the new category, developed in partnership with Humana People to People and the Humana People to People Educational and Training Foundation, will spotlight the critical role of rural teachers who deliver quality education despite limited resources and persistent challenges.
“With nearly 70% of Africa’s population living in rural areas, this recognition aims to address the urgent need to support and elevate teachers serving the continent’s most underserved communities. Selection criteria include demonstrated impact in rural or otherwise underserved areas, innovative low-resource teaching methods, strong community engagement, proven leadership, and a sustained commitment to inclusion and measurable student learning outcomes.”
Professor Gaspard Banyankibona, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, highlights that, “this special recognition will shine a spotlight on teachers working in rural and hard-to-reach communities, who often overcome significant challenges to provide education to children in the most disadvantaged areas. By acknowledging their dedication, we reaffirm our commitment that no child, no teacher, and no community is left behind.”
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“Through our network of teacher training colleges in Africa, we see every day how teachers transform the lives of children and strengthen the communities they serve,” said Snorre Westgaard, Chairman of Humana People to People.
“This partnership allows us to shine a spotlight on rural teachers whose tireless work too often goes unnoticed. Their dedication is the foundation of equitable education, and by amplifying their voices, we can inspire renewed investment in rural education and raise the status of the teaching profession”.
This comes after 2025 Continental Teacher Awards served as a soft launch, with five teachers from Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa, Liberia and Tunisia specially recognised for their outstanding service to rural and underserved communities, each receiving an additional $2,000 to support their work.
These teachers were: Jepkosgei Chemoiwa – Kenya, Sachitanand Ramdhonee – Mauritius, Ntombonzuko Mkizwana Zuki – South Africa, Allen A. Thomas – Liberia, and Chaabane Naoures – Tunisia
The CTA, a flagship initiative under the Continental Education Strategy for Africa, annually recognises outstanding teachers who improve learning outcomes, elevate the teaching profession, and advance Africa’s development goals, including Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
By placing rural educators at the heart of the awards, this expanded framework reaffirms Africa’s commitment to closing the education gap and ensuring that every child, no matter where they live, has access to quality teaching.
By Juma Ndigo
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