The Teacher Task Force will participate in the seminar "Empowering Teachers: Building Sustainable Societies," taking place on 3 October 2024, in Abu Dhabi. Organized by the Regional Center for Educational Planning (RCEP) and Trends Research & Advisory, the seminar will address how empowering teachers is key to building sustainable and inclusive societies.

The RCEP, established in partnership with UNESCO and the UAE, plays a critical role in developing capacities for educational planning in Arab countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council. Aligned with World Teachers' Day, the seminar will focus on enhancing teacher professional development, integrating sustainability into education, and sharing innovative approaches to teacher career advancement.

Carlos Vargas, Head of the Teacher Task Force Secretariat, will present key findings from UNESCO's recent Global Report on Teachers, focusing on the support needed for teachers to thrive. The event will bring together teachers, policymakers, educational managers, and key stakeholders from across the region to discuss strategies and share best practices for supporting teachers.

Seminar objectives:

• Discuss the future development of the teaching profession and its role in sustainable communities
• Share best practices from education and sustainability experts
• Highlight the impact of influential teachers on society
• Enhance collaboration among teachers, policymakers, and stakeholders
• Examine strategies for integrating sustainability into teaching curricula

Agenda highlights:

• Discussions on future development of teaching careers
• Presentations on teacher-led reforms and sustainability in education
• Insights from key figures including RCEP Director Mahra Hilal Al Mutaiwei and other distinguished speakers from the UAE Ministry of Education and educational institutions

By contributing to this dialogue, the Teacher Task Force continues its mission to elevate teacher voices and build sustainable educational systems globally.

Teachers play a key role in ensuring students thrive and succeed in their learning journeys. However, a global teacher shortage poses a significant threat to the quality of education, with millions of children unable to acquire event basic skills. While teaching remains one of the most rewarding professions, currently challenges seem to be pushing qualified educators out of classrooms and discouraging young people from entering the teaching profession.

The International Task Force on Teachers, in collaboration with UNESCO and ILO, recently released the first Global Report on Teachers, addressing the critical issues that need to be tackled to reverse this worrying trend. Additionally, the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession published key recommendations to strengthen the profession.

We invite you to join us for a webinar hosted by Norad, where these pivotal reports will be presented, followed by insights from the President of the Union of Education Norway.

Tentative program:

• 13:00 Presentation of the Global Teacher Report. - Carlos Vargas, Head of the Teacher Section, UNESCO
• 13:30 Presentation of the report from the UNSG’s High Level Panel on the Teaching Profession. - Oliver Liang, Head of the Public and Private Services Unit, ILO
• 14:00 Reflection on the findings of the reports. - Geir Røsvoll, President, Union of Education Norway
• 14:15 Questions and answers
• 14:55 Key take-aways - Thomas Poulsen, Head of Education and Research, Norad

The session will be moderated by Gerd-Hanne Fosen, Education Policy Director, Norad

Click here to register for the webinar.

Related links:

• Global Report on Teachers
• Recommendations of the UN Secretary-General's High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession

Teachers play a key role in ensuring students thrive and succeed in their learning journeys. However, a global teacher shortage poses a significant threat to the quality of education, with millions of children unable to acquire event basic skills. While teaching remains one of the most rewarding professions, currently challenges seem to be pushing qualified educators out of classrooms and discouraging young people from entering the teaching profession.

The International Task Force on Teachers, in collaboration with UNESCO and ILO, recently released the first Global Report on Teachers, addressing the critical issues that need to be tackled to reverse this worrying trend. Additionally, the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession published key recommendations to strengthen the profession.

We invite you to join us for a webinar hosted by Norad, where these pivotal reports will be presented, followed by insights from the President of the Union of Education Norway.

Tentative program:

• 13:00 Presentation of the Global Teacher Report. - Carlos Vargas, Head of the Teacher Section, UNESCO
• 13:30 Presentation of the report from the UNSG’s High Level Panel on the Teaching Profession. - Oliver Liang, Head of the Public and Private Services Unit, ILO
• 14:00 Reflection on the findings of the reports. - Geir Røsvoll, President, Union of Education Norway
• 14:15 Questions and answers
• 14:55 Key take-aways - Thomas Poulsen, Head of Education and Research, Norad

The session will be moderated by Gerd-Hanne Fosen, Education Policy Director, Norad

Click here to register for the webinar.

Related links:

• Global Report on Teachers
• Recommendations of the UN Secretary-General's High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession

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