Post by International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP-UNESCO)

At the 2026 Yidan Prize Conference in Dakar, IIEP-UNESCO co-facilitated the working group on school leadership and teacher professional development, alongside the African Centre for School Leadership, The Learning Generation Initiative of edc.org, and the Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (IEPA). In two parallel streams, participants highlighted the need to strengthen school leadership systems through clear competency frameworks, transparent recruitment processes, professional networks, and institutionalised coaching and mentoring. They also underlined that teacher professional development must be designed with teachers and education actors, connected to classroom realities, supported by middle-tier structures, and informed by data. Across both discussions, a shared priority emerged: planning for scale from the outset, with strong governance, evidence, resources, and partnerships in place. IIEP-UNESCO in Africa is pleased to have contributed to this dialogue on how education systems can better support the people at the heart of learning: teachers, school leaders, and learners. #YidanPrizeConference