My aim has always been to be the best teacher," says Kenyan teacher named best in Africa

Teacher Erick Ademba (left) of Asumbi Girls High School flanked byHomabay County TSC County Director Grace Amira upon his arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport,Nairobi from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on October 24, 2019. Ademba won the Africa Union Continental Teacher Prize in the just concluded contest in Ethiopia. [Elvis Ogina,standard]

A Kenyan teacher named among Africa’s top three tutors by the African Union (AU) yesterday landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to a celebratory reception by Teachers Service Commission (TSC) officials.

It was joy and dance as TSC officials welcomed Eric Ademba with congratulatory cards and bouquets.

Since the beginning of his career, Mr Ademba, a Mathematics and Chemistry teacher at Asumbi Girls’ High School in Homa Bay County, has always aspired to be a world-class teacher.

Ademba won the first African Union Continental Teacher Prize in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Wednesday, alongside two other teachers from the continent.

On top of the award, Ademba received a cash prize of Sh1 million from the AU.

In 2018, Ademba was the first runners-up in Kenya’s Teacher of the Year Awards.

On Wednesday, his dream of becoming a world class teacher finally came to fruition after the AU crowned him.

Ademba said his students had inspired him by performing well in exams.

Each AU member country nominated an outstanding male and female teacher for the award.

In Kenya, TSC nominated Ademba and Damaris Mwende, a teacher at Mbooni Boys’ High School.

Boost image

Ademba hopes the award will boost the image of teaching, especially in Kenya.

“Kenya is now a force in the continent and the world in terms of teaching,” Ademba said.

“Ademba’s win is a great motivation to thousands of teachers and students not only in Kenya but across the continent,” said TSC CEO Nancy Macharia.

Dr Macharia said TSC would support Ademba and other teachers in their professional development.

Ademba's win comes after Peter Tabichi won the World Best Teacher Prize earlier in the year.