The Teacher of the Year Award (i-TOYA) is an initiative by eKitabu in partnership with CEMASTEA (Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa) that challenges teachers to compete by creating innovative ICT-integrated lessons in Science, Technology, or Mathematics. It is one of the few Kenyan initiatives that directly incentivises technology integration in classroom teaching — and recognises teachers who do it well.
What i-TOYA Is Trying to Do
The initiative is geared toward promoting the integration of ICT in teaching and learning in Kenyan secondary schools. The award is given to the Mathematics and Science teacher who develops and implements the most innovative ICT-integrated lesson — a deliberate shift away from recognising teachers for traditional teaching approaches, and toward recognising those who use technology to make learning more engaging and effective.
Competition is open to public secondary school teachers teaching Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics in Kenya. Submissions must focus on:
- ICT-integrated lessons that promote 21st-century skills
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) content
- Innovative use of technology to make content more engaging and accessible for learners
How the Competition Works
The nomination and competition process is structured in five phases, progressing from school level through to national level:
- Phase 1 — School-level competition
- Phase 2 — Sub-county competition
- Phase 3 — County competition
- Phase 4 — Regional competition
- Phase 5 — National level finals
Winners receive computing devices and public recognition at the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) National Delegates Conference. The winning teachers’ schools are also recognised — creating an institutional incentive alongside the individual one.
Why Initiatives Like This Matter
Teacher behaviour is the most powerful determinant of whether technology integration happens in classrooms. Professional development programmes tell teachers how to use tools. Award initiatives like i-TOYA create social recognition and peer visibility for teachers who actually do — and that distinction matters. Recognition of innovation by peers and leadership is a more durable motivator than training alone.
Key takeaway: Changing how teachers use technology in classrooms requires more than training — it requires professional culture change. Award initiatives that celebrate innovative practice are one of the most effective levers for driving that change.