On 15th July 2025, Practical Education Network (PEN) convened a high-level Virtual Engagement on Hands-On Teaching and Youth Skills Development, bringing together educators, curriculum developers, policymakers, NGO partners, and other stakeholders from Ghana, Liberia, and Rwanda.
The dialogue emphasised the urgency of transforming education systems across Africa to better serve the aspirations of young people and the demands of a rapidly changing global economy. Participants agreed that traditional “chalk-and-talk” approaches are no longer sufficient and called for mainstreaming practical, hands-on learning as a driver of youth empowerment and national development.
Key outcomes included a strong commitment to:
Linking practical education with employability through industry mentorship, innovation fairs, and competency-based curricula.
Promoting low-cost, high-impact STEM innovations, leveraging local materials and creating regional platforms for teacher collaboration.
Integrating youth aspirations into skills development, ensuring learners have space to explore, create, and lead projects.
Strengthening regional collaboration and policy alignment to embed experiential learning into education frameworks.
Supporting ongoing teacher professional development, with emphasis on active pedagogy, digital tools, and recognition of teacher innovation.
The communiqué concluded with a collective vision: an Africa where classrooms spark curiosity, teachers act as facilitators, and students grow into innovators who shape the future.
Read the full communiqué below!