At the heart of the ALiVE Academy is Learning!
The sessions combine both theory and practice to provide a holistic understanding of assessment and its context. While the theory aspect deepens participants’ understanding of the concepts, the practical sessions nurture capacities to produce assessment tools. Participants engage in intentional peer learning where they explore associated areas of interest to enhance understanding as well as the collegial spirit of the academy. The paragraphs below highlight the academy scholars’ voices through the different cohorts:
I am David Alelah, and I am privileged to be part of the first cohort of the ALiVE Academy, which I joined in 2021. As one of the scholars selected from Kenya, I’ve been working with a diverse group of education practitioners from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania mainland, and Zanzibar. Together we develop, pilot, and refine tools for assessing life skills and values among learners in East Africa.
The Academy has been a rich learning journey, combining deep theoretical discussions with hands-on practice, including household-based assessments for adolescents in 2022 and the development of classroom-based tools for younger learners. The sessions have expanded my understanding of curriculum integration, cultural adaptation, and how to make assessments both practical and meaningful.
Being part of this pioneering cohort has not only strengthened my technical capacity in education assessment and data analysis but also enhanced my leadership and collaboration skills. I’m especially proud of the strong network of like-minded professionals we have built across the region, and the opportunity to co-create solutions that are African-led and contextually relevant.
Personally, the Academy has helped me grow in confidence, deepen my self-awareness, and better appreciate the power of regional collaboration. It has been both a professional and personal milestone — one that continues to shape how I approach my work in education and my contribution to building a more learner-centred system in East Africa.
@alelahdavid2
