Theme: “Advancing Strategies for Teacher Training, Recognition, and Professional Development”

INVITATION TO THE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES

What:  PAN AFRICAN CONFERENCE ON TEACHER EDUCATION (PACTED 2025)

When: 01 - 03 October 2025.

Where: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Why: The Pan African Conference on Teacher Education (PACTED) 2025 has been designed to address the pressing issues in teacher education across Africa. The Conference will provide a platform for stakeholders across Africa to address the challenges with the theme – “Advancing Strategies for Teacher Training, Recognition, And Professional Development”. The conference coincides with the celebration of the African Union Continental Teachers Awards 2025 and the launch of the African Union Continental Teacher Community of Practice (CoP) Platform. In addition, it will commemorate World Teachers Day 2025, further enhancing the visibility and importance of the teaching profession on the continent.

The conference aims not only to celebrate teachers but also to engage various stakeholders, from policymakers to educators, to discuss strategies, innovations, challenges in teacher education in Africa, and the Lauch of the African Union Accelerated Action for the Transformation of Education and Skills Development in Africa (2025-2034). The launch of the AU Decade of Education (2024-2034) marks a renewed continental commitment to accelerate inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all, aligned with Agenda 2063 and the SDGs.

This transformative Decade integrates the strategic implementation of the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 26–35), the Continental Strategy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET-34), and the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-34). These frameworks prioritize systemic reform, teacher professionalism, foundational learning, digital and green skills, and STI-driven education. The 2025 Pan-African Conference on Teacher Education (PACTED), under the theme “Advancing Strategies for Teacher Training, Recognition, and Professional Development”, serves as a catalytic platform for launching the Decade, with teachers at the heart of Africa’s education transformation agenda.

Who: The Pan African Conference on Teacher Education (PACTED 2025) is hosted by the Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI), African Union Commission, supported by the European Union (EU) through the Regional Teachers Initiative for Africa (RTIA).

Objectives:

The 2025 edition of PACTED will be unique, incorporating strategic key milestones from celebration of the African Union Continental Teachers Awards 2025, honouring excellence and innovation in the teaching profession; launch of the African Union Teacher Community of Practice (CoP) Platform, a digital space to enhance collaboration and professional growth among African teachers; commemoration of World Teachers’ Day 2025, spotlighting the role of teachers in achieving Africa’s education renaissance, and launching the African Union Decade of Accelerated Action for the Transformation of Education and Skills Development in Africa (2025-2034), incorporating the launch of three strategic frameworks, prioritizing systemic reform, teacher professionalism, foundational learning, digital and green skills, and STI-driven education, with the following specific objectives:

1. Promote reforms to strengthen teacher education systems across the continent by aligning national policies with CESA 26–35, CTVET-34, and STISA-34 to ensure teacher readiness for foundational learning, STEM, and digital transformation.
2. Strengthen regional networks and knowledge-sharing platforms for teachers, policy makers, and educational institutions through the launch of the Teacher CoP platform.
3. Promote recognition, valorisation, and professional development of teachers through continental frameworks and standards that support mobility, continuous learning, and career advancement.
4. Foster multi-stakeholder collaboration to mobilize resources and implement integrated education strategies that respond to Africa’s demographic, economic, and technological realities.
5. Discuss solutions to critical challenges, such as teacher shortages, gender equity, and the integration of technology in education.
6. Facilitate discussions on best practices, innovations, and research in teacher education.
7. Encourage stakeholders in developing actionable policies that enhance teacher training, retention, professional development and social dialogue.
8. Encourage AU Member States to commit to teacher valorisation and increased investment in teacher training and management systems.

 Expected Outcomes:          

The Pan African Conference on Teacher Education (PACTED) 2025, commencing with the launch of the African Union Decade of Accelerated Action for the Transformation of Education and Skills Development in Africa (2025-2034), and incorporating the launch of three strategic frameworks, prioritizing systemic reform, teacher professionalism, foundational learning, digital and green skills, and STI-driven education, will showcase a series of engaging sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities, catalyze a renewed commitment to the teaching profession and elevate the collective voice of teachers on the continent with the following specific and expected outcomes:

1. Adoption and operationalization of the Decade of Education 2024–2034 and its flagship strategies (CESA 26–35, CTVET-34, STISA-34) across Member States.
2. Enhanced teacher training and professionalization mechanisms, supported by harmonized qualification frameworks and teacher standards.
3. Greater appreciation of teachers as vital change agents for educational transformation, with increased visibility and recognition for exemplary teachers across the continent.
4. Strengthened national and regional policies to support teacher training, management, and professional growth.
5. Strengthened collaborative networks among educators through operationalization of the Teacher CoP platform, with widespread participation from educators across Africa.
6. Documentation and dissemination of innovative approaches to teacher education and professionalization.
7. Enhanced understanding and appreciation of the teaching profession, including teacher voice, among stakeholders.
8. Renewed advocacy for improved investments in education, with a focus on teacher development.

Participants:

Participants for the three-days event comprises of AU Commission; AU Member States representatives; Governments and Policy Makers, Teachers and Educators, Teacher Associations and Unions; Development Partners and International Organizations; Academic and Research Institutions; Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs); Technology and Innovation Stakeholders, Students and Learners; Media and Communication Partners; Private Sector and Industry Leaders.

For media inquiries, please contact:

1. Mr. Maqhawe Freedom Thwala | Digital Communications Officer | Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation| African Union Commission| E-mail: ThwalaM@africanunion.org| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
2. Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate (ICD), African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africanunion.org