Estonia partners with Team Europe to strengthen teacher education in Sub-Saharan Africa
As part of the Regional Teachers Initiative for Africa (RTIA), Estonia is partnering with the European Commission, France, Belgium and Finland, as well as UNESCO and African Union Commission to strengthen core elements of teacher education and professional development in Botswana, Kenya and Zambia.
The project is part of a Global Gateway strategy that aims to support children across Sub-Saharan Africa in thriving both academically and emotionally. The key to achieving this is ensuring their teachers are well-trained and fully equipped to support students in the classroom.
ESTDEV’s head of Education Gertha Teidla-Kunitsõn emphasises that quality education is fundamental in creating sustainable change in education and in the futures of young people. “To make sure that the education students in Africa receive is the best possible, we must make sure the teachers have the right training and skills to unlock the potential of each and every student they meet. This has become especially important in times when digital skills and digital transformation is shaping every aspect of lives across the globe,” Teidla-Kunitsõn said.
Teachers are one of the biggest investments in any education system. Evidence consistently points to the impact of effective, high-quality teaching on learning outcomes. However, improving these outcomes requires adapting teacher education to conditions on the ground. For example, teachers may acquire new digital skills and plan to use them in the classroom, but they may be confronted with students who have never had the opportunity to use a computer before.
“Sustainable change in education is built through partnership, shared learning and locally driven action. We are delighted to welcome ESTDEV to RTIA, enriching our collaboration with African partners through shared expertise and a strong commitment to quality education for all, in support of teacher professional development and resilient education systems across Africa,” said Anne Hämäläinen, project manager for the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI).
To tackle these problems, Estonia will apply a two-track approach: expanding training for future teachers before they enter the classroom, and offering ongoing professional development for current teachers. Estonia’s part will be implemented by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV).
The first track will focus on strengthening core elements of teacher education by aligning curricula and pedagogical methodologies with competency-based curriculum (CBC) principles. ESTDEV’s teacher training programme in Kenya and its work with 11 universities will be supported by additional expertise from RTIA to enable nationwide scale-up.
The second track helps teachers build modern skills, focusing on how to effectively use technology in the classroom and how to teach STEM subjects in ways that actively encourage and include girls.
“With ESTDEV joining RTIA for its second phase, we are strengthening our partnership and accelerating our collective efforts towards a shared ambition: ensuring that a qualified teacher leads every classroom across Sub-Saharan Africa,” said Thomas Poirier, Team Leader of the Facility from the RTIA, led by Expertise France.
In addition, he believes that ESTDEV’s recognised expertise in the education sector, particularly in the field of digital transformation and innovation, will bring significant added value to the Facility and its partners. “Together, we can enhance our impact, foster sustainable solutions and support teacher development at scale. Let's keep the Team Europe spirit moving forward and work together to transform education outcomes across the continent,” said Poirier.
"Real change starts with empowered teachers. By supporting governments, institutions and educators across Sub-Saharan Africa, we are strengthening the teacher profession and improving learning outcomes for many African children. This initiative demonstrates how the Global Gateway can translate international cooperation into tangible results for people and communities,” said Jan Verschueren, Enabel’s project manager for RTIA.
The project started in February 2024 and will last until January 2030. The programme is co-funded by the European Union, France, Belgium and Estonia. The EU will provide 92 million euros to fund the programme. Expertise France will contribute 1.75 million euros, Enabel 4 million euros and ESTDEV 400 000 euros.
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