In November 2024, the African education community convened in Addis Ababa for the 3rd GPE KIX Continental Symposium, a pivotal event focused on building resilient, inclusive, and quality education systems across the continent. With over 230 participants from 39 countries, including researchers, educators, and policymakers, the symposium was a testament to Africa’s commitment to evidence-based education reform.
Among the many outstanding contributors were three voices from NextGenU.org and the STEPS Project: Miriam Chickering, Emmanuel Wepngong, and Napthalin Atanga—each offering critical insights into how innovation, emotional resilience, and foundational learning can drive educational transformation.
Miriam Chickering: Leading with Purpose
As the CEO of NextGenU.org and a key architect of the STEPS initiative, Miriam Chickering showcased a poster presentation highlighting the power of Open Educational Resources (OER) in STEM education. Her contribution focused on bridging equity gaps by leveraging low-cost, high-impact educational tools that are locally adaptable and accessible even in resource-constrained settings.
Her work underscored how OER platforms can democratize learning, empower educators, and foster inclusivity, particularly in science education, where disparities are often pronounced. Chickering’s advocacy for scalable, sustainable education innovation resonated with the symposium’s broader themes of decolonizing curriculum and leveraging African-led solutions.
Emmanuel Wepngong: Strengthening Emotional Resilience
In a powerful presentation during the session on “Emotional Resilience and Interactive Approaches for Child Development,” Emmanuel Wepngong of the STEPS Project emphasized the importance of social-emotional learning in early childhood education. His presentation highlighted interactive, hands-on mathematics programming designed to boost both numeracy skills and learner confidence.
By integrating emotional resilience into foundational learning strategies, Wepngong demonstrated how education systems can better support vulnerable children, especially those navigating trauma, displacement, or systemic barriers. His presentation reinforced the idea that holistic development is not only possible but essential for long-term educational success.
Napthalin Atanga: Rethinking Foundational Mathematics
Dr. Napthalin Atanga, representing the STEPS initiative, contributed to the session on “Leadership and Educational Reforms for Inclusive Education in Africa.” His presentation addressed one of the most urgent challenges in African education—early gaps in mathematics learning.
Dr. Atanga proposed an innovative methodology rooted in visual and contextual “representations” to build a stronger mathematical mindset among learners. His approach emphasized reforming basic mathematics education at the foundational level, equipping children with the skills they need to succeed in more advanced STEM fields. His call to rethink how early mathematics is taught struck a chord with policymakers and researchers alike, highlighting the need for curriculum reform grounded in learner-centered design.
A Shared Vision for Transformative Education
Through their diverse yet complementary contributions, Chickering, Wepngong, and Atanga exemplified how multi-sectoral collaboration—linking research, policy, and practice—can drive sustainable improvements in education. Their work with NextGenU.org and the STEPS initiative continues to push boundaries, offering replicable models that prioritize equity, innovation, and resilience.
As the education community looks ahead to the next decade of reform across Africa, these voices remind us that transformative change begins with bold ideas—and the courage to act on them.
To learn more about NextGenU.org and the STEPS initiative, visit the STEPS Website.
