Pan African Conference on Teacher Education (PACTED 2025)

Illustrative Image: Pan African Conference on Teacher Education (PACTED 2025)
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INVITATION TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES

The Pan African Conference on Teacher Education (PACTED 2025) is set to convene in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 01–03 October 2025. This landmark event will gather policymakers, educators, researchers, development partners, and civil society to deliberate on the future of teacher education in Africa.

Organized by the African Union Commission’s Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI), with the support of the European Union (EU) through the Regional Teachers Initiative for Africa (RTIA), the conference provides a strategic continental platform to address challenges and opportunities in teaching, with teachers at the center of Africa’s education transformation.

WHY PACTED 2025 MATTERS

Teacher education is the backbone of Africa’s educational systems. However, across the continent, challenges such as teacher shortages, uneven professional development opportunities, inadequate policy alignment, and insufficient recognition of teachers’ contributions continue to hinder progress.

PACTED 2025 directly addresses these concerns by linking teacher training and professional development with broader continental commitments, including:

• The African Union Decade of Accelerated Action for the Transformation of Education and Skills Development in Africa (2025–2034).

• Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Strategic frameworks like 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 collectively prioritize systemic reform, professionalization of teachers, foundational learning, digital transformation, green skills, and the integration of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in education.

PACTED 2025 coincides with three major milestones:

• African Union Continental Teachers Awards 2025 – celebrating excellence and innovation in teaching.

• Launch of the African Union Teacher Community of Practice (CoP) Platform – a digital hub for collaboration, resource sharing, and professional growth.

• Commemoration of World Teachers’ Day 2025 – spotlighting the vital role of teachers as architects of Africa’s education renaissance.

OBJECTIVES

PACTED 2025 will be a transformative event, not merely celebratory, but deeply strategic. The conference aims to:

1. Strengthen Teacher Education Systems by aligning national policies with AU frameworks to prepare teachers for foundational learning, STEM education, and digital transformation.

2. Enhance Collaboration through the launch of the Teacher CoP Platform, enabling networking and knowledge exchange across countries.

3. Promote Recognition and Career Development via continental standards that support mobility, continuous learning, and teacher valorisation.

4. Foster Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships to mobilize resources for education reform and skills development aligned with Africa’s demographic and technological realities.

5. Address Critical Challenges such as teacher shortages, gender inequities, retention issues, and the integration of ICT in classrooms.

6. Encourage Policy Innovation through evidence-based discussions and best practice sharing.

7. Inspire Renewed Commitment from AU Member States toward investment in teacher training, professional growth, and management systems.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

By the close of PACTED 2025, the following outcomes are anticipated:

• Operationalization of the AU Decade of Education (2024–2034) and its flagship frameworks (CESA, CTVET, STISA).

• Establishment of harmonized teacher qualification frameworks and standards across Africa.

• Increased visibility and recognition of teachers as catalysts of change and continental development.

• Strengthened teacher management systems, including recruitment, training, and continuous professional development.

• Broad participation in the Teacher CoP Platform, creating sustainable regional and continental teacher networks.

• Documentation and dissemination of innovative practices in teacher education and professionalization.

• Renewed advocacy for investment in teacher training as a cornerstone of education reform.

PARTICIPANTS

PACTED 2025 will bring together a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including:

• African Union Commission and AU Member States representatives.

• National governments and policymakers.

• Teachers, educators, and teacher unions.

• Development partners and international organizations.

• Academic and research institutions.

• Civil society organizations and NGOs.

• Private sector actors, industry leaders, and technology innovators.

• Students and learners.

• Media and communication partners.

MEDIA CONTACTS

For press and media inquiries, please reach out to:

• Mr. Maqhawe Freedom Thwala | Digital Communications Officer | Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, African Union Commission | 📧 ThwalaM@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

• Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate (ICD), African Union Commission | 📧 GamalK@africanunion.org

🌍 Conceptual Foundation of PACTED 2025

At its core, PACTED 2025 recognizes that teachers are the heartbeat of Africa’s development agenda. By investing in teacher training, recognition, and professional development, Africa can drive systemic reform in education, ensure inclusive and equitable access, and build the skills base required for industrialization, digital transformation, and sustainable growth.

The conference reflects a shift in focus from fragmented national efforts to coordinated continental action—where teachers are not just service providers but agents of change, innovators, and partners in shaping the continent’s future.

In essence, PACTED 2025 is more than a conference—it is the launchpad of Africa’s Decade of Education transformation, situating teachers at the center of the journey toward knowledge-driven, sustainable, and inclusive development.