According to Secretary General Laasi-Õige, the partnership between Estonia and Kenya has grown significantly in recent years. “Kenya has been an important development cooperation partner for Estonia for several years. The visit confirmed that our cooperation to date in teacher education, curriculum development, and the reform of examination systems is highly valued in Kenya and must continue. A central issue in Kenya’s broad education reforms is future skills. As Estonia is internationally known and recognised for its labour market and skills forecasting system OSKA, we agreed to explore opportunities to support the development of this area in Kenya,” the Secretary General emphasised.
Focus on Teacher Education and Systemic Reforms
One of the main highlights of the visit was a high-level seminar on teacher education organised by ESTDEV. Secretary General Laasi-Õige participated in a panel discussion on the implementation of education reforms and met with both Kenyan education sector principal secretaries – Julius Bitok, responsible for general education, and Dr Beatrice Muganda, Principal Secretary for Higher Education.
Among other topics, the seminar addressed Kenya’s efforts to move from subject-based to competence-based teacher education – a direction that closely aligns with Estonia’s own education reforms.
Extensive Meetings: Examination System, Curriculum, Vocational Education, and Digital Skills
During the visit, the Secretary General also met with the EU Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger; the Regional Director for Africa at UNESCO, Louise Haxthausen; representatives of UNDP Africa; as well as the Kenya National Examinations Council, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, and a vocational education working group.
Estonia’s Message on the International Stage: Education as the Engine of the Green Transition
At the Nairobi technology conference Latitude59 Africa, Laasi-Õige spoke on the main stage panel discussion “No Transition Without Talent – Who Will Drive the Green Economy?”, which focused on the role of education in developing skills that support sustainable development and the role of young people in implementing the green transition.
“The green transition cannot take place without people, because it requires a fundamental shift in people’s mindsets and skills – both technological and problem-solving skills – to lead change. Education and teachers play a central role in this,” Laasi-Õige stressed.
Background
During the visit, several Kenyan partners highlighted the professionalism of Estonian experts and the sustainability of long-term cooperation. Mutual learning and the exchange of experiences create a strong foundation for collaboration and benefit learners in both Estonia and Kenya.
For Estonia, Africa is one of the priority regions in development cooperation. Education is a central field in this cooperation, where Estonia can offer support in the development of digital transformation, curriculum reforms, assessment systems, and teacher education.
Photos of the visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCCCfP
