BRUSSELS: Eight thousand teachers are set to benefit from a partnership between the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States and the European Union (EU), among other organisations.
The partnership also includes the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) and the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF).
The program aims to train 8000 teachers in rural areas of four ACP countries (Burkina Faso, Comoros, Mali, Chad) between now and 2018, strengthening their skills for teaching French and as well as teaching in French, under the Francophone Initiative for Distance Training for Teachers (IFADEM - L’Initiative francophone pour la formation à distance des maitres).
ACP Secretary General Dr Patrick I Gomes, the European Commission’s Head of Unit for Education, Health, Research and Culture at DG DEVCO, Aida Liha Matějíček, OIF Administrator Adama Ouane, and AUF Rector Jean-Paul Gaudemar marked the launch of the program with a special ceremony on March17.
All the partners emphasised the relevance of IFADEM actions in improving the quality of education, which is a priority of Agenda 2030. They reiterated the need for joint action to address the challenges faced by many countries, and welcomed the excellent cooperation that exists between the teams.
IFADEM contributes to international efforts to improve the quality of basic education for all. Through IFADEM, two international francophone organisations – Organisation internationale de la Francophonie and Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie – aim to improve teachers’ competence and teaching skills, both in language and non-language fields.
Financing for the initiative comes through the European Development Fund, which is co-managed by the European Commission and the ACP Secretariat, for programs benefiting the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries signatory to the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement.
(The program aims to train 8000 teachers in rural areas of four ACP countries of Burkina Faso, Comoros, Mali and Chad. Picture: ifadem)