EduSpaces Kicks Off with ‘Bridging the Gaps’ Series
The inaugural edition of EduSpaces, a new thought-leadership series by EduKate in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Kwara State brought together leading voices in education to explore one of Africa’s most urgent questions
EduSpaces Kicks Off with ‘Bridging the Gaps’ Series
The inaugural edition of EduSpaces, a new thought-leadership series by EduKate in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Kwara State brought together leading voices in education to explore one of Africa’s most urgent questions:
How do we prepare, support, and retain teachers who are ready for the demands of modern African classrooms?
Moderated by Tosin Adebisi, Director at EduKate, the webinar, “Bridging the Gaps: Teacher Capacity Development for 21st-Century African Classrooms” featured three distinguished experts: Dr. Adetola Salau, Prof. Simon Thompson, and Dr. Fola Aina. Together, they shared insights that bridged policy, research, and practice, calling for innovative, context-driven approaches to teacher empowerment.
The session opened with a bold question:
What if our approach to teacher capacity development today is quietly holding back the future of African classrooms?
Over the course of an hour, the panel reflected on what’s working, what isn’t, and how Africa’s education ecosystem can evolve to meet the realities of 21st-century teaching and learning.
Three key themes emerged:
The need for context-driven teacher development that integrates digital literacy, emotional intelligence, and local realities.
The urgency of policy alignment ensuring reforms lead to tangible classroom outcomes.
The value of cross-border collaboration, enabling shared learning and professional mobility across African education systems.
Drawing from her recent books Bridging Two Worlds and Reimagining African Education, Dr. Adetola Salau noted,
If we want transformation, we must start with a mindset shift that places teachers at the heart of innovation, not at the end of policy decisions.
Prof. Simon Thompson reflected on global partnerships, saying,
Teacher education is most effective when it’s collaborative, not prescriptive. The goal is mutual learning, not one-way transfer.
Connecting education to broader national goals, Dr. Fola Aina observed,
“Teachers are nation-builders. Every well-trained, well-supported teacher is a catalyst for stability, progress, and civic growth.”
Closing the session, Tosin Adebisi emphasised the spirit of EduSpaces:
“When we invest in teachers, we’re not just improving classrooms—we’re shaping the future. EduSpaces exists to keep that conversation alive.”
There was a clear consensus from participants that spaces like EduSpaces are vital for educators across borders to connect, share knowledge, and strengthen practice.
In collaboration with Dr. Adetola Salau, Special Adviser to the Honourable Minister of Education on STEMM and Corporate Engagement, EduSpaces will continue to bridge the gap between research, policy, and practice—creating a regular, cross-border platform for continuous professional development and teacher capacity-building across Africa.