TIE | The African Curriculum Association (ACA)

The African Curriculum Association (ACA)

01 September, 2026 - 25 September, 2026

09:00:00 - 16:25:00

JNICC

director.general@tie.go.tz

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS / PAPERS- EXTENDED

6th CONTINENTAL AFRICAN CURRICULUM ASSOCIATION (ACA) CONFERENCE

Theme:
Transforming Education Systems in Africa: Curriculum Reforms, Teacher Preparation and Inclusive Innovation in the Age of AI and Emerging Technologies

Venue: Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Dates: 15th – 18th September 2026

Important Dates:

Deadline for Abstract Submission: From 15 February 2026 to 28^th

February 2026

Notification of Abstract Acceptance: 15^th April 2026

Full Paper Submission: 15 July 2026

Introduction

As Africa navigates a rapidly evolving global landscape shaped by Artificial Intelligence (AI), digitalisation, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, education systems are called to respond with innovation, adaptability, and inclusion.

Recognising this imperative, the African Curriculum Association (ACA), in collaboration with the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE), will convene the 6^th Continental African Curriculum Association Conference (ACA 2026) to deliberate on transformative curriculum strategies for Africa’s sustainable educational future.

The African Curriculum Association (ACA) is a registered continental organisation and coordinator of the Curriculum Cluster under the African Union’s Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 16–25). Building on the achievements of previous ACA conferences held across Africa, the 2026 ACA conference will bring together education researchers, curriculum experts, policymakers, teachers and teacher educators, civil society actors, research institutions, practitioners, development partners, private sector representatives, and postgraduate students from Africa and beyond. The conference will be hosted by TIE in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 15th to 18th September 2026.

Guided by the overarching theme, ACA 2026 aims to strengthen the alignment of national and regional education reforms with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4)—contributing to the creation of inclusive, relevant, and transformative education systems across the continent.

The theme underscores the urgent need for curriculum transformation that is responsive to Africa’s diverse contexts, values, and aspirations while equipping learners with 21^st-century skills, digital competence, and innovative mindsets. It calls for a renewed Afrocentric and inclusive approach to curriculum reform, ensuring that education systems move beyond knowledge transmission to nurture creativity, critical thinking, ethical leadership, entrepreneurship, and civic responsibility. The conference also recognises the pivotal role of teachers as agents of change in integrating AI and emerging technologies into meaningful learning experiences.

Conference Objectives

The 6th ACA Conference aims to:

Re-examine the relevance and responsiveness of African curricula to global technological, economic, and social transformations;
Explore inclusive and innovative pedagogical models that harness the potential of AI and digital tools;
Strengthen continental collaboration and policy dialogue on curriculum reform and teacher capacity building; and
Promote evidence-based strategies for ensuring equitable access to quality education in the digital age.

Expected Conference Outcomes

The 6th ACA Conference is expected to result in:

The Dar es Salaam Declaration on Transforming Education in Africa outlines shared commitments to curriculum reform, teacher preparation, and inclusive innovation.
A regional framework for curriculum transformation aligned with Agenda 2063 and SDG 4.
Actionable policy and practice recommendations for integrating AI, digital tools, and African values in education systems.
Strengthened continental collaboration and knowledge exchange among curriculum experts, researchers, and policymakers.

Conference Sub-Themes

Sub-Theme 1: Reforming Curricula to Fit the 21st-Century Learner

Competency-based curricula: Aligning competencies with national, African, and global development priorities.
Effective rollout of curriculum reforms in basic education.
Translating curriculum frameworks into actionable classroom practices.
Aligning curriculum content, assessment, and instructional resources.
Resource development and distribution to enhance equitable access to learning.
Leveraging technology for equitable access across urban and rural schools.
Innovation and technology integration: Applying AI and EdTech solutions for scalable teacher support, assessment, and monitoring.
Using evidence-based data for curriculum planning, monitoring, and improvement.

Sub-Theme 2: Policy and Practice Consistency in Curriculum — Lessons from Africa

Integrating African values and indigenous knowledge in school curricula through endogenous education systems.
Comparative analyses of national curriculum frameworks and pathways toward continental alignment.
Lessons learned and emerging priorities from competency-based curriculum reforms in Africa.

Sub-Theme 3: Quality Teacher Preparation and Professional Development

Strengthening pre-service and in-service training models.
Building digital and pedagogical skills for modern classrooms.
Enhancing teacher support, motivation, and wellbeing for improved performance and retention.
Financing and partnerships for effective teacher development.

Sub-Theme 4: Fostering Inclusive Curriculum Rollout Strategies

Designing inclusive curricula and learning environments for learners with diverse needs.
Designing equitable digital learning tools and policies.
Community and family engagement for inclusive education practices.
Universal curriculum design, assessment, teaching, and learning.
Language-in-education policies and their impact on equity and learning outcomes.

Sub-Theme 5: Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies

Harnessing AI for personalised learning, assessment, and curriculum design.
Exploring EdTech innovations that improve quality, inclusion, and efficiency.
Ethical and governance frameworks for responsible AI use in education.
Digital literacy and teacher readiness for 21st-century skills.

Sub-Theme 6: Governance and Management of Education Systems

Strengthening educational governance and leadership for innovation and accountability.
Building sustainable partnerships among governments, development partners, and the private sector.
Policy frameworks that support innovation, inclusion, and system transformation.
Multi-stakeholder collaboration for scalable impact.

Sub-Theme 7: Assessment and Feedback Practices that Nurture Curriculum Competencies

Competency-based assessment models and performance tasks in African classrooms.
Rethinking national examinations under the competency-based curriculum.
Formative assessment practices: Theory and practice in real classrooms.

Abstract Submission Guidelines

Include: Title, Author(s), Institutional Affiliation, Contact Email, Sub-theme, and 3–5 Keywords.
Indicate preferred presentation type: Oral, Poster, or Symposium.
Abstracts must clearly present the background, objectives, methodology, key findings, and implications/recommendations.
All submissions will undergo peer review by the Conference Scientific Committee.
Submit via: conference.tie.go.tz/abstracts
or Email: conference@tie.go.tz / info@acuass.org / www.acuass.org