By Nyang’au Araka
The East African Community has announced a call for abstracts ahead of the 2nd EAC Regional Education Conference set to take place from August 24 to 28, 2026 in Nairobi.
The conference, organised in collaboration with RELI Africa and other education stakeholders, will bring together policymakers, educators, researchers, development partners, private sector players and civil society actors from across the region and beyond.
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Held under the theme “Transforming Education in East Africa: From Commitments to Impact, Fostering Resilience and Future-Ready Systems for Sustainable Development,” the forum aims to provide a platform for knowledge sharing, policy dialogue and collaboration to improve learning outcomes.
Speaking ahead of the conference, EAC Deputy Secretary General Hon. Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth underscored the need for joint action in advancing education across the bloc.
“Improving foundational learning outcomes remains a top priority for the East African Community as we work towards building a skilled and competitive workforce. The conference will provide a vital platform for stakeholders to share knowledge, foster partnerships, and scale solutions that enhance learning for every child across the region,” she said.
Organisers say the conference will focus on strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy, enhancing teacher professional development, and promoting inclusive and equitable learning environments.
Discussions will also explore education innovation, digital learning technologies, evidence-based policymaking, and public-private partnerships.
The event is also expected to advance the East African Common Higher Education Area by promoting harmonisation of higher education systems and strengthening regional collaboration in research and innovation.
As part of preparations, the EAC and RELI Africa have invited researchers, academics, education practitioners, policy experts and students to submit abstracts for presentation during the conference.
The call offers an opportunity to share research findings, innovative approaches and practical experiences that support the advancement of foundational learning in East Africa.
Priority thematic areas include early and foundational learning, teacher capacity development, inclusive education, education technology and innovation, TVET and youth skills development, education financing and governance, data-driven decision-making, and regional partnerships.
Submitted abstracts will undergo a rigorous review process, with selected authors invited to present their work at the conference. The deadline for submission is April 26, 2026, with detailed guidelines available on the official conference platform.
The 2nd EAC Regional Education Conference builds on the inaugural edition and is expected to strengthen regional collaboration, showcase scalable education solutions and deepen partnerships aimed at improving education quality across East Africa.
