By Strand

Student success is deeply linked to the well-being of both teachers and students.  Therefore, to create the future we want for tomorrow, we must create a learning environment where mental, emotional, and physical health is a top priority today.  Wellness requires that we cultivate a balanced approach to education, valuing both the mind and spirit.  It requires that we ensure every voice is heard and valued, including educators at all levels and students bringing varied perspectives. This is easier said than done, but by sharing research-informed practices, practical tips and inspiring stories at this conference, we will support attendees to make the well-being of every school community member a foundation of educational success. 

We regularly invest in developing educators’ skills to teach well. Why not match that effort with investment in powering up students’ skills for learning well?  When we help students train their brains to strengthen the skills, mindsets and values needed to be effective learners, they can become independent thinkers, proactive contributors to their communities, as well as global citizens who are powerful leaders.  Conference sessions will focus on a wide range of learner-centred themes, from maths education and financial literacy to cultural competency and social-emotional development.  As a community of educators, we will learn from one another, in pursuit of learner success.

We want to equip students to be aware, engaged citizens of the 21st century, and we can best do so today with the aid of technology. We must not only teach our pupils how to utilise tech tools, but teach them how to be responsible and safe online, to understand and employ computational thinking, to effectively curate and evaluate knowledge attained digitally, and to use digital tools to successfully communicate with others.  Together at this conference, we will examine ways technology can be used to enhance the quality of education and its delivery; address issues related to accessibility; enhance depth of knowledge, learning, self-direction and collaboration; and address a variety of global education-related challenges.

In our dynamic world, education is pivotal for progress, yet traditional methods fall short. Enter visionary leadership. Visionary leaders foresee trends because we are learners first.  We foster trust and dialogue in our communities, which inspires innovation and transformational change. We craft agile policies, championing inclusivity and diversity, while fostering creativity. We create conditions that support teachers to skillfully reshape their teaching methods to meet students’ needs, and we prioritise adaptability, fostering environments for experimentation and improvement. Students are counting on us to become visionary leaders who catalyse sustainable change, challenge the prevailing norms that constrain learning and shape a more equitable future, leaving a legacy that transcends generations.  Conference sessions in this strand will teach you how. 

Positive developments in Africa’s education sector have led to an increase in the proportion of adults who have completed secondary education. Yet the world of work they are destined to enter is developing at an even faster pace.  Technological advancements and widespread use of AI have transformed the work environment in ways that no longer align with a traditional secondary education.  In fact, many African employers already identify an inadequately trained workforce as a constraint to their businesses. How are we, as educators, changing our mindsets, practices and systems to ensure our students will be well-prepared for the world of work? Come learn how to build bridges between industry and schools, support students in working toward careers, and explore methods of job- and skills-matching.