UNESCO Assistant-Director General for Education Mr Qian Tang reiterated UNESCO’s support for the implementation of the Global Education 2030 Agenda on visits to Benin and Togo.
In Togo Mr Tang launched two new projects: the first one is to strengthen teacher training with the use of Information and Communication Technology, as Togo and Zambia Togo are the two latest beneficiary countries to join the UNESCO-CFIT project, which already works in Congo, DR Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Liberia, Namibia, Tanzania and Uganda. The second project is the elaboration of a National Teacher Policy, supported by the International Task Force on Teachers.
Togo aims to improve the training and working conditions of teachers (both new and existing), especially in science and maths and from pre-primary to higher education. The launch of the CFIT project which will start in 2017 will allow teachers to be trained in the use of ICTs and through distance education. The national policy will provide the country with a broad framework for planning the training, deployment, management and monitoring of teacher demand and supply in an equitable and sustainable manner.
Mr Tang reaffirmed UNESCO’s support for the implementation of SDG4 in the country and stressed the importance of capacity-building in all sectors of education with teacher training as a key factor.
Political will and national expertise
“I have no doubt that the political will manifested by this government, the mobilisation of national expertise and the cooperation with other countries will mean that Togo will benefit from this project by strengthening the quality of its teacher training which is key to improving the entire education system,” he said.
During the visit he met Prime Minister Komi Sélom Klassou, Dr Octoave Nicoué Kuété Broohm, Minister of Higher Education and Research (President of the National Commission), Mr Komi Tchakpele, Minister of Primary, Secondary and Professional Education, Mr Georges Aïdam, Minister of TVET and Ms Tchabinandi Yentcharé, Minister of Social Action, Advancement of Women and Literacy. He also met the United Nations’ Resident Coordinator, Ms Khardjiata Lo Ndiaye who indicated her appreciation of a UNESCO High Officials. She indicated that the UN needs UNESCO its expertise in the implementation of SDG in Togo.
In Benin Mr Tang was welcomed by the President, H.E. Mr Patrice Guillaume Athanase Talon and visited the University of Abomey-Calavi.
The main topic of the visit was the signing of the Framework Cooperation Agreement between Benin and UNESCO, the first in Africa. The new approach focuses on the development of partnerships and the mobilization of resources to support the achievement of the country’s priorities including education over the next five years.
Challenges identified in the country included the need to establish a quality assurance agency and monitor the content and training of teachers as well as the introduction of ICTs in Technical Vocational Education and Training.
Again Mr Tang reaffirmed that UNESCO will support the implementation of SDG4 in the country and announced USD200,000 of additional funding to be integrated into the country’s CapED project on TVET.
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