EnglishKenyaPAL Network
PAL Network is delighted to announce the appointment of Armando Ali as our new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In this role, he will provide overall leadership, nurture a sense of collective ownership and belonging within the network and ensure sustained growth, health and impact.
Armando brings over twenty years of experience in mobilising citizens to improve the quality of education. Recently, he worked as an education specialist with UNICEF, Mozambique. He also previously worked as the coordinator of Mozambique’s Citizen-led Action, Wiixutta Nithweelaka – an approach inspired by Teaching at the Right Level that helps children to improve their reading and arithmetic competencies in 50 days. He holds a Master’s degree in Peace and Development Work from Linnaeus University in Sweden.
Armando said: ‘‘Foundational literacy and numeracy in the Global South is a concern: ensuring that children can read and do basic arithmetic. It is a privilege to help lead PAL Network in supporting members and the education sector to address this challenge. As the new CEO, I am thrilled to be leading an organisation that generates evidence through assessment and action to inform, influence and improve children’s learning. With member organisations across Africa, Asia and America at the centre of what we do, we aim for a world where each child has a foundation for lifelong learning.’’
Dr. Suman Bhattacharjea, Chairperson of the Board, commented on the leadership transition: ‘‘Armando has a strong record in the education sector and has already made major contributions to the PAL Network, right from the creation of the network and its constitution, as well as the development of its strategic goals. He is an excellent successor to Dr. Sara Ruto, who stepped down as PAL Network’s CEO when she was appointed as the Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Education, Kenya.’’
‘‘As our first CEO, Sara did an exemplary job of establishing PAL Network and leading our expansion to 15 member organisations since its inception in 2015. She has built a strong team based in Africa and Asia and mobilised members, partners and funders to help PAL Network generate evidence that informs education policies and practices in the global South.’’
During her tenure, PAL Network launched the International Common Assessment of Numeracy (ICAN), an open-source, robust and easy-to-use tool that is available in 11 languages. It offers international comparability of results aligned to sustainable development goal 4.1 (a). ICAN was developed through a collaborative effort between PAL Network member organisations in 13 low and middle-income countries across Africa, Asia and America. Currently, PAL Network is strengthening and expanding this work.
Dr. Sara Ruto said: ‘‘It has been a challenging yet fulfilling experience to lead PAL Network. We started small, and over time, PAL Network has spread its reach across Africa, Asia and the Americas. My reflection of the past six years makes me smile when I look back on the purpose of the citizen-led approach that unites us in the PAL Network. We have laid the foundations for PAL Network to contribute to its vision where every child will proudly state: ‘I can do maths’ or ‘I can read’.
Early this year, I moved on to my next challenge; to work for the Government of Kenya, where I will continue the agenda of pursuing improved learning outcomes for all children. I am glad that Armando is joining PAL Network as the new CEO. I recall meeting him in 2014 in Maputo, where I was invited to speak on Uwezo and the Citizen-Led Assessment approach. After the presentation, he remarked, ‘This is what I have been looking for’. Later, he was to initiate TPC, the citizen-led assessment in Mozambique, and the rest is history. I am delighted that Armando will be leading the PAL Network, and I will continue to support the organisation as a Board member.’’ Under Armando’s leadership the PAL Network looks forward to an exciting new phase in its evolution.
