Finland-Africa Collaboration for Teacher Training and Capacity-building in Sub-Saharan Africa
Memories of the First Edition of the AAN, 2022
2024 marked an African Union year of education with a focus on teachers. For African teachers, the European Union is spearheading the training of teachers in Africa thanks to a significant envelope, the Regional Teacher Initiative to support African countries, to improve education and training of teachers. The EU Commissioner for Partnership Jutta Urpilainen launched this initiative on 11 April 2024 in Brussels. Finland is one of the leading partners of this teacher initiative. DIANA (African) experts keenly followed the events, took part in the launch and ultimately decided to accompany this noble mission of the European, African Union and Finland, its headquarters. That is why this year’s seminar will focus on some of the thematic areas of the regional teacher initiative and of Finland.
Structure
The platform seminar will be held over two days, from 5-6 June 2024, starting from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM (Finnish and Kenyan time), 8:30 AM (Cameroon and Nigeria), and 7:30 AM (Senegal and Gambia).
The platform consists of:
- Plenary (introductory) presentations by members of Finnish and African stakeholder organizations (maximum 10 minutes each) at the beginning of the seminar.
- Expert presentations (maximum 15 minutes each).
- Panel discussions (45 minutes to one hour).
The plenary, expert presentations and panel discussions will focus on the following topics:
- Teacher Governance in Africa: Operationalized to examine efficiency and perspectives for innovation in the cultures and structures involved in the governance of teacher affairs and training.
- Teacher Training: The actual processes of teacher training aimed at developing the best quality African teacher for the 21st century.
- Professional Development: How the training skills and competencies of teachers are improved and sustained, including the tools, resources, and approaches used.
- Teacher Welfare and Retention: Addressing motivation, working conditions, social status, autonomy and career pathways.
- Researching and transforming the teacher profession in Africa.
Date & Venue
Concept