Baringo teacher crowned Africa’s best

When Jepkosgei Chemwoia’s name was announced as one of Africa’s finest educators, she could hardly believe her ears.
At that moment, she was seated in a workshop at her alma mater, Egerton University’s Njoro campus, completely unaware that her life was about to change.
“I pulled out a TSC official in the room to confirm to me whether what I was reading was true,” she recalled, still sounding awed.
“I was in a state of disbelief. Receiving the good news at Egerton was a big blessing. I will live to remember it for the rest of my life.”
At 40 years old, the mathematics and physics teacher at Emining Boys High School in Baringo County has carved her name among Africa’s most outstanding educators.
Jepkosgei is the latest winner of the African Union Continental Best Teacher Award, a prestigious honour started in 2019 to elevate the teaching profession, celebrate exceptional educators, and inspire teaching as a first-choice career across Africa.
The award is deeply tied to the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA), both of which envision an Africa powered by knowledge, skills, and innovation.
Winners are carefully selected for their mastery of subject matter, commitment to engaging students, ethical conduct, involvement in community activities, and above all, their impact on shaping the futures of young learners.
Jepkosgei said she never imagined that her work in a rural setup would one day draw continental recognition.
“I remember seeing the previous winners and wondering how they climbed the winning podium. Teaching in a rural school, I never imagined that somebody somewhere was watching me from a distance and noticing what I passionately love doing.”
The road to the continental stage was not easy.
Jepkosgei was nominated by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) after a highly competitive process involving more than 370,000 teachers across Kenya.
Only two Kenyans eventually made it to the continental finals, a reflection of the rigorous selection that ensures only the best represent the country.
Her journey as an educator is one marked by passion, sacrifice, and resilience.
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted learning in 2020, she quickly embraced online teaching.
Without prior training in virtual education, she managed to reach over 10,000 students, most of them Form Four candidates preparing for the critical Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.
“That was one of the most amazing things I have done as a teacher who had no prior tips on how to handle learners online,” she said.
“I only had the drive to ensure that students did not lose out completely.”
The initiative not only saved many students from academic setbacks but also earned her respect among peers and admiration from parents and learners who saw in her a teacher willing to go the extra mile.
Jepkosgei’s story is particularly inspiring for girls and women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields—areas where female representation remains low across Africa.
As a woman teaching physics and mathematics in a rural setting, she has constantly had to challenge stereotypes and prove that girls, too, can excel in the sciences