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 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 Chemwoiwa (right), a teacher at Emining Boys High School in Mogotio, Baringo County, is congratulated by the school’s Board of Management chairman, Sammy Chemoiwa (left), at Egerton University, Njoro Campus, on September 10, 2025, after being crowned the Best Teacher in Africa.
Photo credit: Francis Mureithi | Nation
Jepkosgei is the latest winner of the African Union Continental Best Teacher Award, a prestigious honour established in 2019 to elevate the teaching profession, celebrate exceptional educators and inspire teaching as a first-choice career across Africa.
The award is closely 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 based on 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 setting 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.”
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, reflecting the rigorous selection that ensures only the very 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 crucial 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.
Jepkosgei Chemoiwa, a teacher at Emining Boys High School in Mogotio, Baringo County.
Photo credit: Francis Mureithi | Nation
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.
Her victory, she believes, sends a strong message.
“This award will motivate girls and women. I’m now a living beacon of hope to them. I have cracked the puzzle that even girls can shine in STEM.”
Beyond the classroom, Jepkosgei plays a critical role in her community. She serves as treasurer in women’s merry-go-round groups in Baringo, helping women save, access credit and support each other in times of need.
To her, teaching and community work are inseparable—they are both about service, empowerment, and transformation.
For Jepkosgei, the journey is not hers alone.
Her parents were both teachers, and many of her siblings have also joined the profession.
Teaching, she says, runs in their blood.
“My husband, Mutai Hassan, is my pillar and strength. I thank my father, Chemoiwa, for encouraging me to remain steadfast in my work, whether anybody sees it or not,” she said, her voice filled with gratitude.
Mutai, equally proud, describes his wife as a woman of rare determination.
“She is a dedicated, hardworking, and committed woman who burns the midnight oil balancing between family and work,” he said.
Jepkosgei often attributes her strength and perseverance to her belief that teaching is a divine calling.
To her, every child she teaches is not just a student but a soul entrusted to her care.
She has dedicated her award to fellow teachers serving in hardship and marginalised areas across Kenya—places where infrastructure is poor, resources are scarce, and teachers often work in isolation.
“This is an award to teachers in hardship areas,” she said firmly.
“Wherever you are, continue giving out your best. Serve the learners to the best of your knowledge and efforts. They are the reason we are teachers. One day, your efforts will be recognised,” she said.
For her, the award is not an individual triumph but a symbol of what committed teachers everywhere can achieve, even under the toughest circumstances.
The recognition has not only lifted Jepkosgei’s profile but also placed her school and community on the map.
Her school’s Board of Management chairman, Sammy Chemoiwa, expressed immense pride in her achievement.
“Our school is now in the limelight. This is a great honour for us. We pray she wins the Globe Award and motivates more teachers,” he said.
She is preparing to receive the coveted award on October 5 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during World Teachers Day.
“This award is also dedicated to my students. It proves that dreams, when pursued with passion and perseverance, can carry you to unimaginable heights,” said the mother of two.
