BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI – More than 400 education leaders, teachers and stakeholders from Eswatini and across Africa have gathered at the Ezulwini Palazzo ICC for a landmark continental conference aimed at reshaping teacher education and preparing schools for the rapidly changing demands of the modern world.
The Pan-African Conference on Teacher Education (PACTED) 2026), running from October 5 to 7, is placing the future of Africa’s education systems under the spotlight, with discussions expected to focus on artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, skills development, professional excellence, academic integrity and the changing role of teachers.
The scale of the gathering was revealed by Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training, Nanikie Mnisi, during an interview on Eswatini TV’s Kusile Breakfast Show on October 5, 2026.
“We have over 400 delegates representing local and continental institutions,” Mnisi said.
She said the conference presented an important opportunity for African education stakeholders to share ideas and develop practical approaches to ensure that teachers and learners are prepared for a rapidly changing global environment.
At the heart of the discussions is the question of how education systems can remain relevant in an era increasingly shaped by technology, while ensuring that teachers remain central to the learning process.
AI is expected to feature prominently at the conference as schools across Africa grapple with its growing use by learners.
Mnisi said AI offered significant opportunities for learning and research but warned that excessive reliance on the technology could undermine critical thinking and independent learning.
She said teachers must therefore be equipped to guide learners on responsible AI use, ensuring that technology complements education rather than replaces the learning process.
The conference will also address the growing challenge of protecting academic integrity, examination security and intellectual property in an increasingly digital education environment.
Mnisi said educators needed to understand both the opportunities and risks associated with emerging technologies.
The conference is also looking beyond classrooms to the economic impact of education.
Mnisi said young people must be equipped with practical and marketable skills that can enable them to secure employment, become entrepreneurs or create jobs for others.
She said ICT could give young people access to opportunities beyond national borders, allowing them to compete for international projects, market their skills and participate in the global digital economy.
Skills discussions will include areas such as performing arts, stage design, cryptocurrency and investment literacy, alongside the sustainable use of natural resources.
Mnisi also stressed the importance of ensuring that the continent’s digital transformation does not deepen the divide between urban and rural communities.
She said rural learners and teachers must also benefit from advances in technology and access to modern educational tools.
The conference comes ahead of World Teachers’ Day on October 9, when Eswatini will honour teachers for their contribution to the development of the country.
Mnisi said teachers remained the foundation of every profession and played a critical role in identifying and nurturing the potential of young people.
With more than 400 delegates gathered in Ezulwini, PACTED 2026 is providing Eswatini with a continental platform to drive conversations on how Africa can strengthen its teachers, modernise its education systems and prepare the next generation for a technology-driven world.
