Over the weekend on Saturday 17 January 2026, the Kenya Women Teachers Association, KEWOTA, successfully conducted a landmark artificial intelligence training for teachers, bringing together over 100 educators for a transformative learning experience focused on the future of education.
Held in Nairobi, the training attracted participants from across the country, with teachers representing all counties. This national turnout underscored the growing appetite among educators to understand and adopt emerging technologies that are rapidly reshaping how teaching and learning are delivered. The KEWOTA Chief Executive Officer, Benter Opande, noted that this was only the beginning, adding that the AI training programme will be rolled out in phases to reach all KEWOTA members nationwide.
The training was facilitated by METIS, a non-profit organisation and a dynamic network of education innovators, leaders and entrepreneurs committed to improving learning outcomes across Africa. Metis is widely recognised for championing the responsible use of technology to support educators and learners, particularly in contexts where teachers are often overburdened by administrative demands.
At the centre of the training was InnovatED Amal Labs, an AI powered platform developed through a collaboration between Metis and Ayaat Foundation. Designed specifically for Kenyan teachers, the platform supports the implementation of the Competency Based Curriculum by enabling educators to generate schemes of work, lesson plans and assessments within minutes. By significantly reducing time spent on paperwork, the tool allows teachers to focus more on learner engagement, creativity and classroom innovation.
The training programme was delivered through a mix of lectures, presentations and hands-on practical sessions, ensuring participants not only understood the concepts behind artificial intelligence but also gained real experience using the tools. Through KEWOTA’s partnership with M KOPA, participants were provided with high-tech smartphones for the day, enabling them to fully participate in the practical sessions and explore the AI platform in real time. (NB: There is no formal association or partnership between METIS and M KOPA. The partnership is exclusively between KEWOTA and M KOPA, established as part of KEWOTA’s ongoing efforts to expand access to affordable smartphones for women teachers, thereby supporting their participation in digital learning and technology-driven initiatives. info@kewota.co.ke)
Beyond the technical learning, the event was lively and engaging. Moments of music and dancing helped create an energetic atmosphere, reminding participants that learning can be both impactful and enjoyable. One of the most memorable activities of the day was a team challenge where participants were grouped and given spaghetti sticks, marshmallows, strings and sellotape, then tasked with building a self-supporting structure. The goal was to construct the tallest structure possible using only the provided materials. The results were as entertaining as they were insightful. Some structures refused to stand, others collapsed dramatically, and a few appeared to be holding on by sheer willpower. A handful, however, stood tall and proud. The exercise offered plenty of laughter while reinforcing lessons on creativity, collaboration and problem solving. It also sparked playful irony, as teachers reflected on how they train future engineers and builders yet found the task surprisingly challenging themselves.
For many participants, the true highlight came when they were granted access to the AI platform and instructed to generate lesson plans and schemes of work. Tasks that traditionally take hours or even days to complete were produced in under a minute. The results were accurate, well structured and free of grammatical errors. The speed and quality of the output left many teachers visibly astonished, with some expressing disbelief at what they were witnessing. For educators accustomed to long nights of preparation, the demonstration felt nothing short of revolutionary.
Muthoni Gakwa, Executive Director of Metis, described the InnovatED Amal Labs project as an AI driven initiative designed to help Kenyan teachers reduce their workload and redirect their energy towards meaningful learning experiences for students. She emphasized that technology, when thoughtfully applied, can be a powerful ally in improving both teacher wellbeing and educational outcomes.
Goodness Mkanyika, Project Lead for InnovatED Amal Labs, emphasised that InnovatED functions strictly as a support tool, with the teacher remaining the primary determiner of the learning process. She clarified that, contrary to common fears, artificial intelligence cannot replace the teacher, but instead serves as an intelligent, reliable and resourceful assistant designed to enhance teaching effectiveness.
The KEWOTA Chair, Modesta Akaki, noted that the association made a deliberate decision to embrace AI early after observing how quickly the technology was transforming other sectors. KEWOTA aims to ensure that teachers, particularly its members, are not left behind in this digital shift but instead are empowered to lead it. Echoing this sentiment, the KEWOTA National Treasurer, Jacinta Ndegwa, described the training as a strategic investment in members, reaffirming the association’s commitment to continually improving the professional lives of teachers.
Participants also voiced strong support for the initiative. One teacher praised the KEWOTA leadership for their foresight, noting that the demands of the Competency-Based Curriculum are significant and that AI tools will be invaluable in easing workload while improving the quality of education delivered to learners.
The programme aligns closely with KEWOTA’s vision and mission of empowering teachers, promoting professional development and enhancing the quality of education in Kenya through innovation and strategic partnerships.
KEWOTA has confirmed that the AI training will continue in subsequent phases, with participation open to KEWOTA members. Interested teachers are encouraged to join the association to benefit from ongoing capacity-building programmes.
KEWOTA also continues to seek partnerships with like-minded organisations and stakeholders who share its commitment to advancing the welfare and professional growth of teachers.
For partnerships and inquiries, KEWOTA can be reached via info@kewota.co.ke or by calling 0784321321.
This article was written collectively by the editorial team at Adfast Media Ltd, a communications agency dedicated to accelerating SME growth through precisely customized media and IT strategies, digital savvy content and forward thinking marketing approaches. We tell stories that move organisations forward. marketing@adfastmedia.co.ke.