In the fast-moving world of education tech in Africa, it is refreshing to see a firm step forward in recognising excellence and innovation. At the heart of that movement this year is iStore Education, whose 2025 Excellence in Education Awards reaffirm the power of technology to transform classrooms and empower learners. With a strong human-touch and a clear vision, the group has celebrated educators and students who are turning curious minds into creative problem-solvers.
Table of Contents
Envisioning Learning for the Future by iStore Education
For 17 years, iStore Education has quietly been shaping the contours of classroom learning in South Africa, partnering with schools to create interactive, tech-driven environments using MacBooks, iPads and Apple’s evolving ecosystem. The milestone of this year’s awards is not simply the longevity, but the fact that the conversation has shifted: technology is now woven into every subject, every lesson, and every learner’s experience.
Michelle Lissoos, Director at iStore Education, puts it plainly: “Technology is no longer a separate subject or silo. It’s woven into every lesson, across every subject, for every learner.” That shift in mindset resonates when you think about the world these young people are heading into—where artificial intelligence, robotics and coding are not distant futures but present realities.
This year’s awards asked a deceptively simple question: “How have you used Apple products to bring learning to life?” But behind that question is a deeper mission: cultivating creative curiosity, critical thinking and collaboration among learners who may not have had these opportunities in the past.
A Celebration Built on Impact and Inclusion
The awards ceremony, held on 5 November 2025, brought together teachers, school leaders and students from across South Africa. After a record-number of 225 entries from 32 schools and across five provinces, 62 projects were shortlisted and judged by an international panel of Apple Education specialists.
It is not lost on the team behind this programme that achievement in the classroom reflects more than access to devices—it reflects vision, support, training, and the willingness to rethink what schooling can look like. One standout story came from Dorothea Special School, whose inclusive digital learning project was widely praised: it demonstrated that with the right tools and teacher mindset, every learner—regardless of ability—can engage meaningfully.
UK-based judge Jacob Woolcock described the entries as “absolutely incredible” and “blown away by the creativity and passion.” Meanwhile, Bronwyn Desjardins from Mauritius said the work was “creative, entertaining, inspiring and often deeply moving.”
It is this human element—stories of learners finding their voice, teachers redefining what is possible—that gives the awards their depth.
Lessons and Implications for Africa’s Classrooms
What the 2025 awards illustrate is not only a showcase of projects but a blueprint for what education can become in the 21st century: inclusive, technology-enhanced, driven by curiosity and problem-solving. From stop-motion storytelling to AI-powered classroom tools, the entries clearly show that learning is evolving.
For Nigerian educators and stakeholders (and indeed across Africa), there are a number of takeaway insights:
- Technology must be integrated, not just added. The awards focus on seamless integration of iPads, Macs and Apple software into lessons—not just devices in a lab.
- Teacher training and mentoring remain critical. iStore Education’s role extends beyond providing hardware—it supports teachers to adapt their pedagogy and embrace new approaches.
- Diverse and inclusive learning matters. Highlighting schools working with learners of different abilities underscores the importance of equitable access.
- Creativity, not just technology, drives change. The awards reward imagination and learner-driven inquiry, not simply the latest gadget.
- Recognition spurs motivation. When learners and teachers are celebrated, it creates momentum within schools and communities.
Reflecting on the Future
As someone who has visited classrooms, spoken with educators and witnessed the shift in learner engagement over the years, I find the work of iStore Education both promising and necessary. The world that young Nigerians, South Africans and Africans at large are entering demands problem-solvers, critical thinkers and digital natives. Simply replicating 20th-century schooling won’t suffice.
What stands out for me in this story is the human voice behind the technology. Lissoos’s statement that “technology alone doesn’t transform education—it’s the people behind it who do” rings true. And it is only by placing teachers and learners at the centre of innovation that we will see transformation.
For Nigeria, where challenges around access, infrastructure and training remain, there is much to learn from this model. Scaling the mindset of “turn curiosity into action” and creating classroom environments rich in inquiry and collaboration is key.
Conclusion
iStore Education’s 2025 Excellence in Education Awards are not simply a ceremony or a PR event—they represent a marker of what is possible when vision, technology and human agency converge. In classrooms across Africa, such examples serve as beacons. For learners, teachers and education leaders alike, the message is clear: curiosity matters, creativity matters, and with the right tools and support, learning can truly come to life.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
READ THE LATEST EDUCATION NEWS
