Coinciding with the DOAC and the mid-point in 2024 AU Year of Education, this #BorntoLearn event aims to put support for teachers at the top of the continental agenda.

• Date: 14 June 2024
• Time: 3:30 pm - 4:20 pm CEST
• Type: Virtual

Click here to register.

One in five primary school-age children in sub-Saharan Africa are out of school; their number is nearly as high as it was in 1990. Only two in three children in the region complete primary school by age 15. Among those who do, only 3 in 10 achieve the minimum proficiency level in reading, meaning that barely one in five children do so overall. 

Highlighting the need for alignment across countries’ vision on foundational literacy and numeracy with curriculum development, textbook provision, pedagogy and assessment practices, the 2024 Spotlight Report underscores the importance of teachers to bring the change we design on paper to children in the classroom. It shows the need for better teacher support, who have a wish list of ‘if only I had more…’ that goes unanswered by leaders still expecting to see change in learning on the ground. This campaign will help clear the list! 

Timed to coincide with the Day of the African Child and marking the mid-point in 2024 AU Year of Education, this online #BorntoLearn event aims to put support for teachers at the top of the continental agenda and highlight the importance of foundational learning to enable all children to reach their full potential and participate in society.

The event aims to: 

1. Highlight the importance of ensuring every child has access to foundational learning across Africa 
2. Spark a conversation on the way that leaders and stakeholders can better support teachers to teach national curriculum in the classroom and overcome existing challenges
3. Provide a platform for teachers and youth representatives to share knowledge and experience in advocating for promoting foundational numeracy, address challenges and celebrate successes
4. Highlight the Spotlight Report and its recommendations on children’s numeracy as a key tool for governments across the continent working to improve foundational learning

Featured speakers: 

• Alice Mukashyaka, Youth representative, African Union
• Dennis Sinyolo, Director, Education International's Africa Regional Office
• Lindiwe Tshuma, Faculty of Humanities Teaching and Learning Unit, University of Witwatersand, Johannesburg 
• Gamusi Tom, Teacher, Uganda
• Lyson Chikunduzi, VVOB Zambia
• Primary Teacher, South Africa 
• Josephine Kiyenje, Spotlight Report Lead, GEM Report, UNESCO 

Resources

• Learning Counts - 2024 Spotlight Report
• Learning Wish List - #BorntoLearn campaign
• Official event webpage

The UNESCO and Teacher Task Force Global Report on Teachers will be presented on Thursday 9 May at the 11th Conference and 13th Roundtable of the African Federation of Teaching Regulatory Authorities (AFTRA) in Lusaka, Zambia.

Jointly hosted by the Ministry of Education of Zambia and the Teaching Council of Zambia, the conference is scheduled to run from 6 to 11 May, uniting key stakeholders, policymakers, and educators for crucial discussions on  Africa's educational future.

Carlos Vargas, Head of the TTF Secretariat and Chief of UNESCO's Section for Teacher Development, will present the Global Report on Teachers during a dedicated session on the conference's third day. This will be followed by a presentation of the Recommendations of the United Nations Secretary-General's High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession, and a moderated panel discussion, where participants will explore the implications of these policy tools within the context of the African Union's Year of Education and the forthcoming Continental Education Strategy for Africa.

• Click here to download the full conference announcement from the AFTRA website
• Click here to register for the conference (advance registration is required)

His Excellency, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, will be present as the Special Guest of Honour during the conference. Joining him will be Hon. Douglas Siakalima, MP, Minister of Education, Zambia, serving as the Chief Host, and Dr. Ebby Mubanga, Registrar of the Teaching Council of Zambia, as host.

About AFTRA

AFTRA, the African Federation of Teaching Regulatory Authorities, comprises Ministries of Education, National Teaching Councils, Teacher Unions, Teacher Education Institutions, and international organisations associated with the regulation of teaching. AFTRA is also the Africa Regional Branch of the world body, International Forum of Teacher Regulatory Authorities, IFTRA (www.iftra.org). It is further the Co-Chair of the African Union Teacher Development Cluster, Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2016-2025), and member of the International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030. It has a special working relationship with African Union Commission, UNESCO-IICBA, UNESCO Regional offices in Africa, Education International Africa Region, and many others.


Photo: The Minister of Education, Zambia chairing the Planning Committee which included members of the AFTRA Executive Board.