‎’Africa’s schools need urgent reform,’ says Education Reset Conference 2025‎

By Chioma Obinagwam
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‎The Education Reset Conference 2025 has  issued a clarion call for a sweeping transformation of Africa’s education systems to align with the demands of a technology-driven world.
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‎Organized by the Education Research Initiative under the leadership of Mrs. Ngozi Blessing Omosebi, the conference convened educators, policymakers, innovators, and development partners to address the theme: “Teaching in a World That Has Moved On.”
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‎Confiance News gathered that the conference moderator Mrs. Omosebi opened the event by highlighting the disconnect between outdated classroom models and the realities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. “We cannot keep our children in 19th-century classrooms while the world races forward,” she said, setting the tone for urgent reform.
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‎Keynote speaker Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo emphasized technology’s role as an enabler, not a replacement, for teachers. Reflecting on the adaptability shown during the pandemic, she stated, “The teacher of tomorrow must be a designer of learning, not just a deliverer of knowledge.” Dr. Joan Ngunnzi echoed this, noting that teachers must foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in tech-savvy students, urging continuous professional development to bridge the skills gap.
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‎The conference spotlighted Africa’s education challenges, including limited digital infrastructure, resistance to change, exam-centric systems, and low parental involvement. However, success stories from Rwanda and Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) demonstrated the potential of skills-based, innovation-driven education. Dr. Adetola Salau, a STEM advocate and Special Adviser to Nigeria’s Education Minister, warned that neglecting AI and technological advances risks leaving Africa behind. “Education must leap from the chalkboard to the cloud,” she said, drawing on her 25 years of experience.
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‎The conference which was held virtually on Sunday was concluded with a communiqué outlining key resolutions: redesigning teaching to prioritize creativity and digital fluency, investing in teacher training, empowering educators as mentors and learning designers, forming a Continental Network of Future-Ready Educators, and publishing an Education Reset White Paper to guide policy.
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‎In closing, Dr. Brian O. Reuben, Founder of the Education Research Initiative, stressed collective responsibility: “Transforming Africa’s education cannot wait for governments alone. Every stakeholder must act now to build schools that are relevant, resilient, and future-ready.”
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‎Confiance News reports that the conference’s outcomes signal a bold step toward reimagining education across the continent, with a focus on equipping students for a rapidly evolving global landscape.
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