Jepkosgei Chemoiwa, who hails from Baringo County, has won a continental award from UNESCO's International Institute for Capacity Building as the best teacher in Africa.
Chemoiwa, who teaches Mathematics and Physics at Emining Boys High School in Mogotio, was declared the best teacher after beating other contestants for the African Union (AU) Continental Teacher Prize award.
The award aims to honour and recognise innovative and committed teachers across the continent. It also seeks to promote teaching as a profession at all levels.
It also celebrates outstanding teachers based on the performance of the students, their positive support to fellow staff, high moral standards and positive influence on the community and the school.
Jepkosgei has been a teacher at Emining for 15 years after graduating from Egerton University. Speaking on Wednesday, September 10, Chemoiwa revealed that she was nominated for the award by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
According to her, she won the award for her critical role in championing online learning among students in the remote area of Baring during the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
"Up to this far, I thank God for being declared the winner, and I think that is a good recognition that comes my way," Chemoiwa said.
"I never thought that I would win. It never crossed my mind that one day I would try to win. In May, I got a call from TSC that I had been nominated," she explained.
Following the award, the school administration and fellow teachers commended Jepkoskei, terming her an inspiration to all the educators not only in Kenya but across the continent.
They revealed that Chemoiwa enjoys teaching as a calling and that her understanding and connection with the learners were evidence of her dedication to the teaching profession.
"She was so committed and dedicated to this noble task. She has put our school on the global stage," said one of her colleagues.
Chemoiwa is set to formally receive the award at a ceremony that will be held next month in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital.
