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.
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.
The High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession will convene for the first time on July 18, 2023. This inaugural meeting, one of five planned gatherings, will be closed to the general public and conducted online.
The Panel, appointed in June 2023, is an initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General as follow-up to the Transforming Education Summit. Its mandate is to produce a set of evidence-informed recommendations on how to deliver on the commitment that every learner has a professionally trained, qualified, and well-supported teacher who can flourish in a transformed education system. The scope covers educators from early childhood through tertiary education, including technical and vocational education and training. The work of the Panel is being supported throughout by a joint UNESCO-ILO Secretariat.
The Teacher Task Force will be represented at the High-level Panel by one of its co-Chairs, Ms Matsie Angelina Motshekga, Minister of Basic Education of South Africa.
The discussions of the Panel will focus on six imperatives for the future of the teaching profession: quality, equity, diversity and inclusion, humanity, sustainability, and dignity. These imperatives guide the Panel's efforts to shape an inclusive and forward-looking teaching profession that prioritizes the well-being of both teachers and learners.
The working methods are carefully designed to ensure a thorough and comprehensive approach. With co-chairs comprising former Heads of State and the participation of a variety of stakeholders, including youth, the Panel brings together diverse perspectives and experiences. It will also draw on consultations organized by the Secretariat, briefs to inform the Panel as well as existing relevant literature.
The Panel will both draw on and inform preparations for the forthcoming first global report on the teaching profession to be published by UNESCO and the International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2023 in early 2024.