What is an AISA Professional Learning Institute (PLI)?

AISA Professional Learning Institutes have been very popular learning events as they offer participants the opportunity to focus in-depth on a specific aspect of practice, learn from and with expert facilitators, collaborate with peers from other AISA schools, plan for implementation and explore the African continent.

Here are some key characteristics of an AISA Professional Learning Institute:

• Offers highly focused, deep learning on a specific topic or aspect of practice
• Takes place over two days at the weekend (but could be longer), offering 10 or more hours of professional learning and is led by an expert in the field
• Hosted by an AISA member school
• Involves participants from the host school and other AISA member schools only
• Is listed as part of the AISA PLI Programme, uses AISA’s online registration and fee collection systems and charges the standard registration fees
• Generates income for the host school as 90% of the registration fees from participants from other AISA schools go to the school

The Host School will:

• Decide the title, focus and learning plan for the PLI, usually in line with their own strategic goals
• Select and pay the facilitator/s to lead the institute
• Send at least 10 of their own personnel to the PLI
• Ensure the PLI is financially viable without relying on any external registrations from other AISA schools
• Suggest accommodation and airport transfer options for those visiting from other AISA schools
• Provide transport to bring participants to the school and back to their hotel daily, as well as provide lunch and other facilities

AISA will:

• Support the Host School with the planning and logistics
• Promote and market the PLI via our monthly emailer to members and social media
• Manage the online registration and invoicing and send the final payment to the school
• Manage the online evaluation process and feedback

Criteria to add your event to the AISA Professional Learning Programme

For your application to proceed, your school must meet the following criteria:

• The school’s educational philosophy must align with AISA’s mission and vision: “AISA is dedicated to transforming student learning by leading and supporting strategic thinking, professional growth and school effectiveness.”
• The event must be 10 hours or more of engaging and challenging learning, opportunities to collaborate with peers and guidance on implementation. The facilitator must have experience and expertise in the field they are addressing and be inclusive and equitable.

The school must have:

1. An onsite coordinator—someone who can oversee the organization of the event, liaise with AISA and attend the event to troubleshoot and assess quality
2. Access to an international airport to facilitate travel to the event
3. A simple and low-cost visa process
4. Affordable hotel accommodation nearby
5. The ability to provide transportation from the hotels to the school
6. Onsite catering facilities
7. An available workshop space/venue to suit needs:
   • Up to 30 participants per group
   • Wifi
   • Speakers, projector and screen
   • Air conditioning
8. Adequate onsite safety and security measures to ensure the well-being of participants
9. Public Liability Insurance that covers participants attending the event
10. Maintenance, technology, and cleaning crews throughout the workshop
11. Power and water backup plans

Next Steps:

If your school has a professional learning event that you would like to add to the AISA PLI Programme, please review the application criteria above and complete this online application form by 30 June 2025. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your plans before completing the application process, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Dr Graham Carlini Watts at gwatts@aisa.or.ke