Listening to ECD Practitioner Voices | Challenges and Solutions for ECD in South Africa

From Values and Vision to Impact: Expanding the IB into Underserved Regions with Fidelis Nthenge

In this episode of the Education Exchange, David Marriott speaks with Fidelis Nthenge, the first woman of colour to lead the Aga Khan Academy in Nairobi, and later to contribute to global education through senior roles at the International Baccalaureate (IB). Fidelis shares her leadership journey, the IB’s mission to expand access to quality education in underserved regions, and the power of community, inclusivity, and Ubuntu-inspired learning to shape a future where education nurtures well-being, collaboration, and shared humanity.

Building 1 Million Teachers From the Ground Up with Hakeem Subair & Rizma Butt

In this episode Hakeem Subair and Rizma Butt, co-founders of 1 Million Teachers, share their personal journeys, the bold mission behind 1 Million Teachers, and the transformative Black Belt Teacher program, designed to empower educators worldwide. From overcoming challenges to building a global movement, Rizma and Hakeem reveal how dedication, innovation, and human impact are reshaping teacher development and creating a future where every teacher can thrive.

Nurturing Africa's Future with Sustainable ECD Practices with Kossy Anyanwu

Kossy Anyanwu, an ECD classroom teacher from Johannesburg, South Africa, shares her 15-year journey in the ECD sector, emphasizing her ethos of play-based learning for holistic child development. She details her approach to setting up sustainable learning environments using natural and recycled materials, involving the community in resource creation, and highlights the crucial role of adults in deepening learning through open-ended questions during play. Kossy advises ECD practitioners to start small, pursue continuous learning, and expresses hope for greater investment in play-based learning in African ECD centers, concluding with a powerful message about nurturing children as the future of Africa.

Listening to ECD Practitioner Voices | Challenges and Solutions for ECD in South Africa

In this roundtable, Dr. Kaylianne Aploon-Zokufa, and ECD leaders Karrimah Jacobs and Melissa Jacobs shine a light on the realities of Early Childhood Development in the Western Cape, South Africa. From the financial balancing act ECD Leaders have to manage for their centres, and training that lacks a practical, accessible learning pathway, to the urgent need for political will and systemic support, the conversation highlights why practitioners’ voices must not only be heard but actively listened to, to enable the professionalisation of the sector. With insights on the migration of ECD to the Department of Basic Education and a vision for professionalising the sector, this episode makes clear that those working on the ground can, and should, guide the changes needed for children, families, and communities to thrive.

Creativity, Reading, and the Power of Story with Miriam Achiso

In this episode, we hear from Miriam Achiso, a passionate English and Literature educator who inspires her students through creative teaching methods and a commitment to building a strong reading culture. Miriam shares her journey of making literature engaging for both junior and senior secondary learners, and the innovative strategies she uses to spark participation in her classrooms. As the original inspiration behind the Ubuntu Hub Book Club, she also reflects on the power of reading communities for educators, and gives us a glimpse into what’s coming next in the series.