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Prof. Ruby Hanson with Partners Awarded European Grant for Teacher Education in Africa

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Published: Mon, 06/16/2025 - 18:08

Prof. Ruby Hanson of the Department of Chemistry Education, University of Education, Winneba (UEW) and partners have been awarded a major international grant to support teacher education and professional development across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The award comes under the highly competitive Regional Teachers Initiative for Africa (RTIA), a component of the European Commission’s Global Gateway strategy, with funding administered by the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI). The RTIA grant forms part of a broader €100 million initiative aimed at strengthening education systems in Africa through collaborative research and innovation.

The project, titled “Implementation of Professional Learning Communities in Selected African Countries: Implications for Policy and Practice,” is one of only six selected for funding out of 94 proposals submitted during the 2024 call. The initiative seeks to explore the transformative potential of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) in enhancing teacher well-being, retention and lifelong professional growth.

Prof. Ruby Hanson
Prof. Ruby Hanson

“This project is a significant step forward in developing sustainable systems for teacher support and continuous learning,” said Prof. Hanson. “It not only addresses the professional needs of educators but also has the potential to shape national education policy.”

Prof. Ruby Hanson will lead the Ghanaian component with the support of Dr. Bawa Mbage also of UEW. They will collaborate closely with Dr. Sean Higgins from the Institute of Education at University College London (UCL).

Dr. Bawa Mbage
Dr. Bawa Mbage

The 18-month project, expected to receive between €410,000 and €880,000, will be implemented in partnership with leading institutions across three countries. The South African Institute for Distance Education (SAIDE) will lead the consortium, which includes the Institute of Education at University College London (UCL), Botswana Open University, and UEW.

The project aligns closely with UEW’s mission to be a centre of excellence for teacher education in Africa and it is expected to yield critical insights into how educational institutions and policymakers can support teachers through community-driven learning models.

As the project unfolds, stakeholders across Ghana and beyond will look to its outcomes to inform scalable models for teacher development—placing African educators at the forefront of educational innovation and reform.

© 2019 University of Education, Winneba