By Roy Hezron
Coming hot in the heels of a Kenyan teacher Peter Tabichi bagging the best Global Teacher Prize in 2018, Othaya Girls School Principal was on December 22nd, 2020 crowned the winner of the African Union (AU) Continental Teacher of the Year award.
Ms. Jane Kimiti, a teacher of History and Religious studies scooped the prestigious prize in a colorful event that was held in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. Owing to her intelligently and diligent way of executing duties, Ms. Kimiti floored 5o others and earn her recognition certificate virtually.
Renowned for cultivating desirable and admirable behaviors among students, Kimiti deserved the award.
As a dynamic and charismatic classroom teacher and administrator, Ms. Kimiti is known to be in the forefront in enhancing the social and cultural values as well as helping students get to their careers of choice by engaging relevant agencies.
In 2019, she scooped another ward for the unwavering support on the integration of Information Communication Technology in teaching and learning.
The elated teacher, however, pays a glowing tribute to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for the nonpareil support since the beginning of the journey in March 2020.
“I was in a meeting in one of the neighboring schools on Covid-19 protocols when I received the call. It was exciting. TSC has walked with me on this journey that started in March when they told me they had nominated me for the prize,” she said.
“I give God the glory. I am not any better than any teacher in the continent but they chose me to carry the baton. Imagine the Teachers Service Commission Secretary personally calling to say I was the winner. It was humbling,” said elated Kimiti.
TSC Secretary Dr. Nancy Macharia congratulated Kimiti for the achievement, saying she has been promoted in line with the Commission’s Rewards and Sanctions Policy adding that the win was a confirmation that Kenya was the home of the best teachers.
“Given that our own Peter Tabichi emerged the best global teacher in 2018, we are proud of the high caliber of staff that is in our schools,” she said in a statement.
Dr. Macharia termed Ms. Kimiti as an accomplished professional with a proven track record both as a quality teacher and administrator for many years.
“Ms. Kimiti has done all of us in the teaching profession proud and shown that the ongoing Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development (TPAD) programme is bearing fruit,” said Dr. Macharia.
“The overall improvement in the school is as a result of adherence to performance management in TPAD where she carries out lesson observations and is also observed by her teachers and sub-county directors,” added Dr. Macharia.
Ms. Kimiti during her virtual presentations on her philosophy of teaching conducted by a panel of eminent educationists in Africa on 21st December 2020, it was succinct that TPAD, as well as professional knowledge and practice on teacher conduct and professionalism, is what saw her at the zenith.
Last year’s prize was won by another Kenyan Mr. Erick Ademba, a Mathematics and Chemistry teacher at Asumbi Girls.
The African Union launched the AU Continental Teacher Award in 2019 with a single objective of encouraging teachers in Africa to adopt quality education practices. The competition attracts participants from all the AU member states.
