Mr. Eric Len Kibinkiri
Topic:
The blended learning model: A practical approach for teacher professional development in Africa
Merits:

 

Doctor of Education (PhD), University of Bamenda, Cameroon I have trained many student teachers in the Department of Science of Education at the Higher Teacher Training College Yaounde since 2011 to present. In March 2018 I was appointed Head of Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy at the University of Bamenda In 2017, I took part in the design of the programme for Curriculum and Pedagogy in the Faculty of Education at the University of Bamenda. I have published many articles in the areas of science of education and curriculum studies. I have supervised many Master’s students, student-teachers and undergraduate Students. I am the main resource person for the Djangirde project (PAL Network) in Cameroon under Amom Charity Foundation. I was Center Manager for the Distance Education programme, Yaounde Study Centre offered by the Faculty of Education, University of Buea (2012 – 2017) I coordinated the FACT 2 Project in Bamenda (a project on good governance and Education for Integrity)- 2009 to 2011 At the International level In November 2017, I participated in the PAL Network Test Development Workshop organized by PAL Network in Lagos Nigeria. In January 2015, I took part in the Curriculum Development Training organized by MASHAV in Jerusalem Israel Preferred Venue USA - Washington D.C

Contribution:

 

Problems of National Education • Insufficient qualified teachers: Many schools lack qualified teachers especially schools in rural areas. • Employability of graduates: We observe that many of our graduates are finding it difficult to get jobs or employment after graduation from schools. • Infrastructural problems: A number of schools in Cameroon have insufficient infrastructure for effective learning • Implementation of new approaches and methodologies: Teachers in schools have difficulties in understanding and implementing innovations in education like the Competency based teaching (CBT). • Teacher professional development: Teachers do not have many opportunities for in-service training. Many teachers who succeed to further their studies continue to receive remunerations corresponding to their previous levels of education. As a consequence, many teachers do not have job satisfaction. • Teacher Education: Many young people get into the teaching profession as a last resort especially teachers of basic education. The best students from academic institutions prefer other professions to teaching in basic education. • Inclusiveness of the educational system: children with special needs have difficulties to access quality education. • Security at School. The sociopolitical crisis in some parts of the country for example in the two English speaking regions North West and South West has adversely affected the working conditions of teachers and learners. There is little or no peace at work, many teachers and learners prefer to stay at home in these areas.
 

Expectations:

The forum will give me the opportunity to meet and have fruitful discussions with experts from countries across the world. It will help to expand my knowledge of educational development, best practices in different countries that can be applied in my country. I also expect to expand my network of international friends.