The June edition of EdTech Mondays featured another enriching conversation centered on the theme “Teachers in the Tech Era: Training Educators for Digital Success.”

As always, Bernard Avle moderated the discussion, which was powered by MEST Africa in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. This month’s episode focused on one of the most critical players in the future of education: the teacher and how we can better prepare and support them in an increasingly digital learning environment.

In many ways, technology in education is no longer the future; it’s the present. Classrooms are evolving, students interact with content in new ways, and learning management systems, AI tools, and digital resources are becoming the norm. However, while much of the focus in EdTech often rests on learners and platforms, the role of the teacher can’t be overstated. One speaker noted during the show, “If we’re reimagining education for a digital world, then we must reimagine how we train and empower the ones leading the classroom.”

The episode featured powerful insights from a diverse panel of education and technology professionals: Anyele Perbi, Founder and CEO of Perbi Cubs; Richard Anim, CEO at Coral Reef Innovation Hub Ghana; William Pious Akakpo, an experienced educator and digital skills advocate; and Edward Akani, Partnerships Lead at ALX Ghana, who focuses on future-ready workforce development.

Anyele Perbi brought an efficient and empathetic perspective to the conversation, sharing how Perbi Cubs has trained educators to make reading more interactive and tech-enabled, especially for early learners. She emphasized that “digital tools shouldn’t replace teachers; they should equip them.” Her work with Perbi Cubs demonstrates how simple, cost-effective interventions can transform literacy outcomes when teachers are empowered with the right resources and mindset.

Richard Anim echoed that sentiment, highlighting how structured teacher training and ongoing support are crucial for EdTech adoption. He emphasized the need for capacity-building that meets teachers where they are, acknowledging that teachers must be given the time and tools to adapt while the appetite for technology is growing. He added, “We can’t just introduce new tools into schools and expect instant success. Teacher onboarding is where success starts.”

William Pious Akakpo reinforced this with his classroom experiences. He shared how many teachers are willing and eager to embrace technology but often lack the basic infrastructure and digital fluency to navigate new tools confidently. His takeaway was simple but powerful: “We need to demystify technology for teachers. Make it approachable, make it relevant, and make it stick.”

Edward Akani, speaking from the ALX perspective, added an important workforce lens to the conversation. He pointed out that teacher training in digital tools isn’t just about enhancing education; it’s about aligning it with the future of work. He explained, “If we want to prepare students for tomorrow’s jobs, we need educators who are trained to deliver those skills today.” ALX’s training programs reflect this philosophy by integrating real-world, project-based digital learning that begins with educator development.

Throughout the discussion, the panellists agreed that teacher training needs to go beyond one-time workshops. It should be continuous, collaborative, and context-sensitive. They stressed that tech tools should not only serve the top schools or urban areas but they must be designed with underserved and rural communities in mind.

The conversation also explored systemic issues such as funding, policy alignment, and the role of public-private partnerships. As with previous episodes, the Mastercard Foundation’s work in championing inclusive and scalable EdTech initiatives across Africa was highlighted as a model for driving sustainable change. The EdTech Mondays platform continues to serve as a valuable space for these cross-sector conversations to happen.

As the show wrapped up, there was a collective sense that this was not just a technical conversation, it’s a human one. Teachers are not just transmitters of content; they are mentors, motivators, and the heartbeat of our education systems. If we are truly serious about using technology to transform education, we must be just as serious about equipping and uplifting those who make learning possible every single day. If you missed the live broadcasts, you can catch the full episode on MEST Africa’s YouTube or Facebook page.

Stay tuned for the July edition of the EdTech Mondays Show; it promises to be just as inspiring as we continue to reimagine learning across the continent.