AGP Executive Report

Child Protection in Schools: Zimbabwe’s debate reignites after an alleged teacher-learner sexual misconduct case at Bonda Girls High School, with calls for stronger enforcement and clearer adult responsibility. Learning Loss in Rural Kenya: BBC reports Kaliluni Primary in Kitui County has collapsed to just five pupils, as families shift children to other schools amid poor access and staffing gaps. Health Education Through Play: Nigeria’s “Schisto & Ladders” turns schistosomiasis prevention into a game, targeting school-age risk from unsafe water. Disability Awareness: A mother in Guinea fights stigma and misinformation around autism as the country lacks reliable records and support systems. STEM Opportunities: Marymount Academy student Adonia Dunwell wins a SHAD program spot at York University, highlighting hands-on STEAM and entrepreneurship mentorship. Education Spending Spotlight: Kano tops ECOWAS education spending rankings in a University of Paris index, credited to sustained investment and budget execution. AI Talent in Higher Education: UNILAG students place in top positions at Nigeria’s Data & AI Summit hackathon, showing growing capacity in tech problem-solving. Conflict and School Safety: UN warns Lake Chad Basin displacement is surging, with about half of children in worst-hit areas forced out of school.

Education policy & funding: Kano State topped the ECOWAS education spending rankings in the University of Paris index, after declaring an education emergency and boosting budgets for schools, teachers and learning materials. Student wellbeing: A Stellenbosch-linked study finds that adolescents who age out of South Africa’s child support grant show higher depressive symptoms, raising concerns about mental health and social protection gaps. Digital learning & AI governance: Namibia’s national responsible AI strategy aims to keep AI accountable to local needs, backed by data access, digital government and university capacity. School inclusion: ECOWAS donated 670 assistive devices to Nigerian children with disabilities, pushing for stronger assistive-tech investment. Rights in schools: Nigeria’s Court of Appeal dismissed a hijab-rights ruling for students at the University of Ibadan International School, citing its private status. Learning beyond the classroom: A World Cup kids guide promotes event-based global learning using the tournament to teach geography and global citizenship. Migration & education access: Zimbabwean returnees from South Africa’s xenophobia crisis are urged to be supported with dignity, including pathways back into schooling.

Health Systems & UHC: ESAMI launched AfriCHEG in Arusha to strengthen health economics, governance, leadership training and technology use across Eastern and Southern Africa. School Disruption in Nigeria: Oyo State public schools reopened after a month-long teachers’ strike, with security patrols and Safe School upgrades promised. Academic Integrity in South Africa: Researchers warn that cloned journals are being used to siphon university funds, exploiting weak internal controls and subsidy-linked publishing. AI in Education: An IDRC-backed push highlights responsible AI tools for learners with disabilities and for producing local-language children’s books in Mali. Digital Inclusion & Connectivity: Google plans a major Eastern Cape connectivity hub, while Airtel Africa reiterates sustainability and digital inclusion efforts. Policy Debate in Nigeria: Peter Obi says Nigeria’s education crisis is driven by poor funding and leadership, not just the junior-senior secondary structure. Animal Welfare: Ethiopia faces condemnation after the mass killing of more than 450 dogs in Hosanna, with calls for urgent rabies prevention and stronger protection laws.

AI & Grading Integrity: UC Berkeley says its A-grade shares stayed steady even as ChatGPT spread, while a Texas study linked higher A rates to take-home work where AI could be used unsupervised. Higher Education Leadership: South Africa’s new Deputy Minister Yusuf Cassim faces Islamophobic backlash but vows unity and service. School Safety & Discipline: Ghana’s Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu orders outright dismissal of students selling marijuana/cannabis on campuses and plans a national conference to curb weapons, assaults and drug-related indiscipline. Health in Schools & Clinics: Researchers urge integrating screening for neglected female genital schistosomiasis into sexual and reproductive health services for millions of women and girls. Digital Connectivity for Learning: Google plans connectivity hubs in Africa, with an Eastern Cape (South Africa) “Digital Exchange Port” to strengthen cloud and internet resilience. Accountability in Education Infrastructure: South Africa’s George building collapse saga highlights a wider pattern of investigations without prosecution. Girl-Child Education: Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi Tinubu donates 140,000 girl-child storybooks to public school libraries. Admissions Clarity: Nigeria’s JAMB chief Ishaq Oloyede reiterates JAMB is an educational assessment and admission agency, not an exam body. Exams Integrity: WAEC says there was no 2026 WASSCE question leakage despite late delivery delays. STEM for Public Schools: Oando Foundation’s STEAM competition in Nigeria rewards a lemon-powered classroom project and backs hands-on learning.

Digital Learning Expansion: Dubai’s Digital School programme is scaling to support 500,000+ refugees and underprivileged learners across Mauritania, Nigeria, Lesotho, Zambia, Namibia and Angola, with schools, teachers and job-readiness support over three years. Tech for Education & Jobs: Google Cloud says its Johannesburg Cloud Region could add $90.6bn to Africa’s economy and create 315,000 jobs by 2030, alongside new AI initiatives and connectivity hubs. Youth Innovation: Nigeria’s Wema Bank launches Hackaholics 7.0, inviting young Africans to pitch tech solutions including education and social impact tracks. Learning Integrity: Ghana’s GES debunks viral claims that floodwaters destroyed WASSCE papers and says candidates should rely on official updates. Education & Safety: South Africa’s ELRC upheld a teacher’s dismissal for a sexual relationship with a Grade 12 learner, ordering permanent removal from the educators’ roll. Housing Rights: South Africa’s Constitutional Court ruled the Tafelberg land sale unlawful and ordered Cape Town and the Western Cape to plan well-located affordable housing to undo apartheid spatial exclusion.

Higher Education Reform: South Africa’s new deputy minister of higher education, Yusuf Cassim, says he won’t be a “ceremonial figure” and wants real changes in a troubled sector. Employment Equity & Universities: A South African employment equity report warns top management remains dominated by white and Indian men, while black women and people with disabilities are concentrated in lower ranks. Anti-Immigrant Protests: Police arrested 900 people during 30 June anti-immigrant demonstrations; most marches were peaceful, but isolated violence and looting were reported. School Leadership Accountability: A former Gauteng principal lost her dismissal challenge after an ELRC arbitrator found misconduct over unapproved school withdrawals totaling R422,936. Digital Education Data: Nigeria urged states and private schools to join DNEMIS, a digital education data system to improve planning and learning outcomes. Learning Beyond Facts: A Nigerian education commentary argues education must build usable skills, not just information. STEM & Creative Skills: Nigeria’s LASWA partnered with Apollo Africa Leadership Foundation to build youth leadership for the blue economy, while an art outreach in Lagos trained coastal children through “Paint Your Coast.”

AI for Public Services: President Cyril Ramaphosa urged faster AI and cloud adoption in South Africa, linking it to modernising government and education. Education Data Push: Nigeria’s FG launched the Digitalised Nigeria Education Management Information System and urged states and private schools to join so planning and learning outcomes improve. Banking Expansion in Schools’ Neighbourhoods: Côte d’Ivoire is emerging as a West African banking battleground as lenders expand into Abidjan, betting on investment and trade. Jobs and Learning Pressure: South Africa lost 121,000 jobs year-on-year, with knock-on effects for households and school stability. Anti-Immigration Tensions: South Africa braces for protests amid claims of xenophobia versus arguments about strained schools, hospitals and unemployment. School Safety Crisis: Nigeria reported another mass school kidnapping in Borno, adding to a worrying pattern of abductions. Ebola’s Education Shock: UNDP warned DRC’s Ebola outbreak could push nearly one million more people into poverty and disrupt education and healthcare. STEM Access: South Africa’s Young Engineers Movement hackathon showcased 55 learners’ prototypes, aiming to widen STEM opportunities. Ebola Vaccine Monitoring: WOAH issued new field guidelines for African swine fever vaccine evaluation and post-vaccination monitoring. Higher Education Appointments: South Africa’s GNU reshuffle named new deputy ministers, including Yusuf Cassim for Higher Education.

Repatriation Push: Zimbabwe’s stranded citizens in South Africa are being moved faster as government deploys dozens of buses to ferry returnees to Beitbridge, prioritising families with children and reporting hundreds already processed. Xenophobia Backlash: As anti-migrant protests spread ahead of a June 30 deadline, South Africa faces renewed scrutiny over state complicity and the political/economic drivers of xenophobia, with activists warning the unrest is being scapegoated onto foreigners. School Safety Crisis (Nigeria): Gunmen raided Lassa Day Secondary School in Borno during exams, abducting 36 students (25 girls, 11 boys) and killing at least one teacher; officials say security and community efforts are underway to secure releases. Education Access (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe orders schools to enrol children returning from South Africa so no learner is turned away, with catchment placement and reintegration support planned. Higher Education Reform (Nigeria): Miva Open University’s new pro-chancellor calls for a rethink of higher education delivery, backing open and distance learning that keeps standards while removing barriers for learners. Sustainability in Schools (Nigeria): Airtel Africa Foundation launches “Green Schools” with environmental learning gardens, composting and recycling units to build climate and food-system awareness in participating schools. Higher Ed Jobs Debate (South Africa): A new look at South Africa’s graduate pipeline questions whether university output is translating into work, as graduate unemployment trends remain stubborn.

Anti-immigrant protests and school strain in South Africa: Security forces are on high alert as South Africa braces for June 30 anti-migrant demonstrations, with police warning against looting and intimidation and concerns that schools and other services could face added pressure. Mental health in healthcare training: South Africa’s nursing curriculum shift is quietly phasing out required psychiatric training for frontline nurses, raising alarms that community clinics may lack safe mental health triage capacity. Sexual violence prevention in schools: The SAHRC says fragmented systems are still failing pupils at risk, as weak safeguards leave children exposed to sexual violence. Higher education and student pathways: Zenith Education is profiled for linking students, schools and universities through counseling and mentorship networks, while Invertis University highlights international internships and exchange programmes to widen career options. Youth and climate-smart farming: A call is growing for youth-focused climate-smart agriculture, arguing that young people need training, financing and tech access to stay in farming and build resilience. Food security awards: The World Food Prize Foundation announced major awards for African agri-food innovators at DialogueNEXT in Nairobi. Ghana drone push: Ghana maps a plan to become a West African drone technology hub by 2035, aiming to boost innovation in agriculture, logistics and emergency response.

Xenophobia & School Safety: South Africa braces for June 30 anti-immigrant protests as migrants rush to leave; police say they’re ready to stop intimidation and violence, while Zimbabwe and others report mass departures and fears for families and schooling. Zimbabwe Repatriation Support: President Mnangagwa directs safe, dignified returns for Zimbabweans from South Africa; by June 26, 3,624 had been repatriated and government teams are coordinating reception at Beitbridge, including reintegration and school enrolment for children. Nigeria Education Under Attack: In Borno, gunmen storm a secondary school during NECO exams, abducting students and teachers; authorities report rescues and a follow-up operation. Teacher Education Reform (Nigeria): Kano’s Sa’adatu Rimi Federal College of Education calls for digital innovation in teacher training, using virtual programmes to connect trainees with global expertise. School Feeding Boost (Zambia): Zambia signs a four-year partnership with Kenya’s Food4Education to strengthen systems and expand nutritious meals from 4.6m to 5.6m learners by end-2026. AI in Africa: Chinese firms are gaining influence by pushing open-source AI models that lower costs and help African developers build local solutions. HIV & Public Health: Coverage highlights how better diagnostic testing for cryptococcal meningitis could prevent major deaths across sub-Saharan Africa. Soweto Uprising Archives (South Africa): A new book release brings primary-source history of the 1976 uprising to wider readers, including archive material and contemporaneous perspectives.

Maritime Education Boost (Ghana): Regional Maritime University (RMU) graduated 417 professionals, as Ghana’s Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe pledged to make the school a globally competitive maritime training hub. Child Safety in School Routes (Zimbabwe): PICA and Little Mr and Miss Africa Zimbabwe launched the “Be Seen, Be Safe” campaign, using child-led arts and media to improve pedestrian visibility for learners walking to and from school. School Corruption Crackdown (South Africa): South Africa’s SIU began lifestyle audits of senior Basic Education officials in procurement and HR to flag unexplained wealth and financial mismanagement. Financial Literacy at Scale (Sub-Saharan Africa): Junior Achievement Africa and Prudence Foundation rolled out the 2026 Cha-Ching program for 275,000 primary pupils across Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya and Zambia. Digital Safety for Learners (South Africa): MTN South Africa launched “Help Children Be Children,” training pupils as peer digital ambassadors to reduce online risks. Security Hits Exams (Nigeria): Gunmen abducted students during exams at Government Day Secondary School in Borno, prompting rescue efforts. Immigration Tensions Spill Into Education (South Africa): Ahead of June 30, protests and deportation fears are disrupting schooling for undocumented families, with universities warning anti-immigrant backlash could harm higher education’s global standing.

Child Development Research: At Aga Khan University Institute for Human Development’s 10th anniversary in Nairobi, experts flagged a shortage of African-led brain research for the estimated 29 million children across Eastern and Southern Africa living with developmental delays and disabilities. School Feeding Reform (Ghana): Ghana’s School Feeding Programme grant rises from GH¢1.50 to GH¢2.00 per child daily, but commentators argue the real fix is shifting from many small caterers to central kitchens and public-private delivery. Maritime Skills (Ghana): Regional Maritime University in Accra marks its 20th congregation with 417 graduates and renewed government backing to modernise maritime education and training. Electrification Push: A World Bank-backed Mission 300 update says Tanzania, Nigeria and Ethiopia are leading new connections, with more than 50 million people connected in under three years. Ebola Response (Africa CDC/WHO): Africa CDC, WHO and Uganda launch a Joint Continental Incident Management Support Team at Makerere University to strengthen coordinated emergency response. Xenophobia and Education’s Fallout (South Africa): Coverage highlights South Africa’s xenophobia crisis ahead of June 30, with calls that the deeper problem is state failure—an issue that also threatens learning and safety for displaced communities. AI Skills Gap: A new focus on AI job readiness warns that many African education systems expand access but still miss practical data and digital skills.

Public Health & Learning Safety: Africa CDC, WHO and Uganda launched a Joint Continental Incident Management Support Team at Makerere University to strengthen Ebola preparedness and coordinated response across Uganda, DRC and nearby at-risk countries. School Governance & Integrity: Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile says the province is intensifying anti-corruption work in schools, citing 41 serious cases flagged in an internal assessment. Higher Education Leadership: A forum in the UK highlighted that African university success depends on governance and leadership quality, not just infrastructure, as AI and funding pressures reshape expectations. Parenting, Discipline & Unrest: Kenya’s President William Ruto urged a return to traditional African parenting to curb school unrest, stressing character and discipline alongside academics. South Africa Immigration Tensions: South Africa braces for June 30 anti-immigrant protests; xenophobia incidents rose to 406 from 2022-2025, while officials warn against vigilantism and school access blockages. Language of Instruction: Kenya’s mother-tongue-inclusive approach is helping learners understand better, with one example from a technical college scholarship student. Maritime Skills Pipeline: Ghana’s Regional Maritime University graduated 417 professionals, with transport leaders pledging to boost global competitiveness in maritime training.

Africa Day Diplomacy: Nineteen African missions in Malaysia will mark Africa Day 2026 with a July 2 symposium at Sunway University on Education, Trade & Investment, spotlighting cooperation and cultural exchange. Higher Education Momentum (Ghana): AIMS Ghana graduated a record 130 MSc students across 24 African countries, with a strong push toward science, innovation and teacher training. Skills for Jobs (Africa-wide): Mastercard Foundation urged the AIMS Ghana Class of 2026 to treat graduation as the start of lifelong problem-solving for youth employment and development. Health and Human Capital (Nigeria): The African Health Budget Network warns that Northern Nigeria’s health gaps—maternal/child mortality, low immunisation and limited skilled care—are undermining education and productivity. Malaria Prevention (Ghana): Ghana Health Service says social media claims about insecticide-treated school nets are false, stressing WHO and national approvals. AI in Universities (South Africa): UCT, Stellenbosch and UFS are moving away from AI detection tools, citing false positives/negatives and urging assessment redesign and AI literacy. Regional Protection (East Africa): UNHCR warns of a severe funding gap threatening refugee operations as conflict and climate shocks drive repeated displacement. South Africa Xenophobia: MTN chairman Cyril Ramaphosa condemns xenophobia, linking South Africa’s identity to African solidarity and warning of social and economic fallout.

Refugee Funding Crunch: UNHCR warns East Africa’s displacement crisis is worsening as conflict and climate shocks drive repeated returns and new flights, with the region hosting about 6.3 million refugees and a severe funding gap threatening operations. AI in Universities: South African universities are moving away from AI detection tools, citing false positives/negatives and shifting toward assessment redesign and AI literacy; UCT disabled its detector, Stellenbosch stopped Turnitin’s AI detection, and UFS plans to end its software use from 1 July. Higher Ed Recognition: University of Cape Town rises to 122nd globally in US News Best Global Universities, reinforcing its research impact. Skills for Work: South Africa’s skills gap gets a workplace-integrated learning push, turning the office into a “campus” to earn recognised credentials without leaving jobs. School Safety & Roles: CREP Africa cautions against assigning teachers drug-enforcement duties, arguing it risks safety and blurs responsibilities. Migration Tensions: South Africa faces rising anti-foreigner hostility; MTN chair Mcebisi Jonas blames state failure and politicians for scapegoating migrants, while over 42,000 foreign nationals have applied to register businesses as authorities tighten regulation ahead of protests. Governance & Violence: Political killings during South Africa’s voter registration weekend raise fears of election-related violence ahead of November local polls. Education Autonomy: Addis Ababa University’s autonomy is credited with boosting independence to admit students, expand curricula, and strengthen research as it marks its 76th graduation. Digital Sovereignty: Namibia rejects Starlink’s licence bid, citing ownership requirements and procedural grounds.

Education Policy & Leadership (South Africa): Deputy Minister Nonceba Mhlauli marked the 71st anniversary of the Freedom Charter at the Ephraim Mogale Career Expo, spotlighting the role of the Basic Education portfolio in getting learners support, textbooks and quality teaching. Higher Education & Research: President Ramaphosa’s 10–12 July working visit to France will co-chair UNESCO’s SDG4 education steering committee and follow with a Transforming Education Summit stocktake. Peace & Skills Training (Nigeria): Rotary will commission a Peace Institute building donated to Olabisi Onabanjo University on 30 June, alongside graduation for Peace and Conflict Studies cohorts. Sustainability in Universities: Times Higher Education’s Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 ranked the University of Manchester No.1 overall, while a study warns SDG work in Gulf universities can stay “safe” and shallow. Learning, Access & Wellbeing: A report flags University College Hospital Ibadan’s 69-year-old facility facing decay, power outages and underinvestment. Youth Civic Leadership: Church on the Street NG launched the 2026 Civic Africa Fellowship to train young Africans for policy influence and community projects. Gambling Harm (South Africa): A study on online gambling finds many users say they’re in control, yet report debt and distress—pushing calls for gambling literacy modules in higher education. Anti-Xenophobia & Education: MTN chairman Mcebisi Jonas condemned xenophobia as state failure, arguing expelling foreign nationals won’t fix unemployment, inequality or weak education delivery.