BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE– The European Union (EU) is supporting Eswatini’s efforts to strengthen teacher professional development through a new initiative aimed at improving the quality of education across the country.
The support comes under the EU Regional Africa Teachers’ Initiative, a continental programme that assists African ministries of education in strengthening teacher development and education systems. The programme is expected to run until 2030.
Speaking during a media briefing held at the Ministry of Education and Training boardroom on August 4, 2026, the ministry’s focal person for the EU Regional Africa Teachers’ Initiative, Annelisa Stoffels, said Eswatini had successfully secured technical assistance after submitting a proposal to participate in the programme.
The French expert said the ministry would use the support to develop a national in-service training framework that will guide the continuous professional development of teachers and other education personnel.
The framework will serve as a roadmap for how training should be conducted across the Ministry of Education and Training, identifying priority areas for capacity building and outlining the expected outcomes of professional development programmes.
Stoffels noted that the initiative is in line with Government’s Programme of Action, which places strong emphasis on developing human capital within the education sector.
“The framework will guide how teachers are trained, identify the areas that require continuous professional development and define the expected deliverables, all aimed at improving service delivery and learner outcomes,” she said.
The ministry will develop the framework with technical support from experienced regional and international education experts, while ensuring that it reflects Eswatini’s unique education needs and national priorities.
Once completed, the framework is expected to strengthen the ministry’s in-service training department and provide a structured approach to teacher development, ultimately contributing to improved teaching standards and better learning outcomes in schools throughout the Kingdom.
#Eswatini #EU #Government #Education #Framework #TeacherTraining
