Gaborone hosts landmark continental education summit
Kingsley Kuda | Wednesday May 6, 2026 14:34
Held at the Gaborone International Convention Centre, the 13th AFTRA conference and 15th Roundtable convened education leaders, policymakers and regulators under the theme “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession: Implications for Africa,” placing strong emphasis on strengthening education systems through shared expertise, innovation and collective responsibility among teachers. The conference spotlighted collaboration as a catalyst for transforming education outcomes across Africa, with delegates exploring approaches such as peer mentoring, team teaching and professional learning communities, widely regarded as critical in reducing teacher isolation while improving retention and classroom performance. In resource-constrained environments, participants noted that collective problem-solving and knowledge exchange offer sustainable pathways to improved learning outcomes, aligning closely with continental development priorities. BOTEPCO Registrar, Dr Raphael Dingalo described the hosting of the conference as a significant honour for Botswana, coming on the heels of the country’s successful staging of the World Athletics Relays, crediting strong partnerships with local and international stakeholders for making the event possible and noting that bringing Africa’s education minds together in one room would accelerate skills transfer and uplift the teaching profession. President of AFTRA Ebby Mubanga highlighted that President Duma Gideon Boko is the first Head of State to officiate the opening of the conference since its inception, describing this as a significant milestone for the organisation. He noted that this year’s gathering attracted countries and stakeholders from across the continent including Angola, Liberia, Namibia, South Africa, Ghana, Madagascar, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, Lesotho and Eswatini, as well as key institutions such as the UNESCO and the African Union. Mubanga further commended Botswana’s rapid progress, pointing out that although BOTEPCO was only established in 2019, hosting a continental conference of this scale marks a major achievement. He urged African countries to continue strengthening legislative frameworks governing the teaching profession, noting that while Botswana is relatively new in this regard, it has consistently participated in AFTRA engagements through education ministry stakeholders. He added that countries such as Uganda have recently made strides in passing legislation to regulate the profession, signalling growing momentum across the continent. Minister of Basic Education Nono Kgafela underscored government’s commitment to strengthening the education sector, highlighting the importance of collaboration in building resilient systems capable of responding to evolving classroom needs across Africa. Officially opening the conference, President Duma Boko described the summit as a defining moment for Africa’s educational future, noting that Botswana was experiencing an “enchanting moment” following recent national events celebrating culture and achievement, while warmly welcoming delegates and reflecting on the power of African identity expressed through music, poetry and performance. In a personal reflection, Boko recalled his student activist days at the University of Botswana, where he once faced expulsion during protests that led to the temporary closure of the institution, saying the experience shaped his views on justice and resilience and reinforced his belief in education as a cornerstone of national transformation. The President stressed that with over 60 percent of Africa’s population under the age of 21, education remains a strategic priority for the continent, emphasising that no system can rise above the quality of its teachers and calling for deeper collaboration in teacher development, curriculum reform and professional standards. Boko further challenged African nations to embrace innovation, imagination and technology, urging the continent to transition from being a consumer of imported education systems to a producer of knowledge and solutions tailored to its realities, declaring that investing in teachers is ultimately an investment in Africa’s dignity, stability and future prosperity. The Gaborone conference marks a significant milestone for Botswana and the continent, positioning collaborative teaching practices at the centre of Africa’s education transformation agenda.