By Emeka Aginam

At the just  concluded regional finals of the 2010 Innovative Teacher Awards at the Pan-African Innovative Education Forum which held at the Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa, Kenya, Mr. Nwodo Monday Obinna, of Odogbolu Grammer School, Ogun State was among 18 teachers honoured by the global software giant.

Similarly, Nwodo won the Judges’ Award with his entry “Hypertension – The Silent Killer”.
Meanwhile, winners were recognized  for their work in integrating technology into the classroom to prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce and for a lifetime of learning.

The Pan-African Innovative Education Forum is part of Microsoft’s Partners in Learning Program. Each year, thousands of teachers from around the world participate in country-level and regional competitions. After each competition, winners move to the next level, culminating each year at the global summit.
Nwodo won the Judges’ Award with his entry “Hypertension – The Silent Killer”.

Speaking on his award, a visibly excited Nwodo said, “It was an absolute honour to attend the Forum and win!  I am particularly happy for the opportunity to showcase my students’ work as well as network with educators from other countries.  With the quality of work on display, there is no doubt that technology is truly the catalyst to accelerate development in all spheres of life.”

Selection of winners followed three days of interactive workshops, teacher exhibitions and judging by a renowned panel of African education experts.

The 18 winning teachers were chosen from among the 54 contestants who represented more than 15 countries at the Forum and they will go on to represent Africa at the sixth annual Worldwide Innovative Education Forum taking place in South Africa later this year.

“Gathered in Mombasa were the pioneers of African education,” said Zeid Shubailat, Education Director, Microsoft Middle East and Africa. “We celebrate the impressive work that these teachers and school leaders are doing to help every student in African realize their full potential.”

The Africa Best Practice winners in the four main competition categories were Samuel Avornyor of Ghana, Innovation in Community; Linda Bradfield of South Africa, Innovation in Collaboration; Warren Sparrow of South Africa, Innovation in Content; and Lilian Ofori-Asare of Lesotho, Educators’ Choice Award. Several teachers were also nominated for the Judges’ Award.