New Factsheets Launched for Six EU-Funded Research Projects on Teacher Education in Africa
EDUFI has released detailed factsheets for six EU-funded research projects under the Regional Teachers Initiative for Africa (RTIA) Facility. These projects form part of a growing network of African and European institutions working to improve the quality and impact of teacher education across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The launch of the factsheets represents a key milestone in showcasing the scope, objectives, and progress of the RTIA programme and its commitment to supporting teacher education research in Africa. Each factsheet outlines the project’s focus areas, key partners, and research approach, providing a clear picture how the initiative contributes to strengthening teacher education systems. Together, they demonstrate a shared commitment to evidence-based research that enhances teachers’ professional growth, wellbeing, and leadership in classroom and communities.
Collaboration Across 18 Countries
Coordinated by EDUFI, the projects will run from May 2025 to November 2026. Implementation spans Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Eswatini. In total, 28 universities, NGOs and education institutions are involved, including 26 funded partners and 2 external collaborators.
The programme targets three shared goals:
- Produce research that informs teacher education policy and practice.
- Build research capacity in African universities and research centres.
- Strengthen equitable partnerships within Africa and between Africa and Europe.
By linking research findings directly to teacher training and professional development, the projects aim to help reduce teacher shortages and attrition while improving teacher motivation and wellbeing.
Looking Ahead
The RTIA programme represents a growing commitment to building strong research-based teacher education systems in Africa. The release of the project factsheets is an invitation to educators, policymakers, and researchers to follow the progress of these initiatives and engage with their findings. Through these partnerships, EDUFI and its European and African partners are advancing a shared goal: to ensure that teachers in Africa are supported, valued, and equipped with the skills and knowledge to deliver quality education for all.
Project Factsheets
Supporting Teacher Education, Wellbeing, and Retention via Informing Feasible Educational Policies and Incentives in Africa
Partners: Häme University of Applied Sciences (Finland), University of Nairobi (Kenya); Egerton University (Kenya); University of Juba (South Sudan); Dar es Salaam University College Education (Tanzania); Mkwawa University College of Education (Tanzania)
The Drivers of Teacher Wellbeing and Retention in Contexts of Protracted Violence and Displacement
Partners: Institute of Development Studies (UK), Institut Supérieur Pédagogique de Bukavu (DRC),The Secretariat for Support and Coordination of The Education Sector, SPACE (DRC); Luigi Giussani Foundation (Uganda), Oxfam Novib (Uganda), Oxfam Denmark (Denmark)
Teacher Professional Development at Scale: Leveraging Teachers’ Perspectives for Success
Partners: HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation (Switzerland), University of Bern (Switzerland), Ruaha Catholic University (Tanzania), University of Zambia (Zambia)
Investigating the outcomes of professional development linked to the Mental Starters Learner Workbooks for Early Number Learning at pre- and in-service teacher education levels
Partners: Dublin City University (Ireland), Rhodes University (South Africa), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (Nigeria)
Implementation of Professional Learning Communities in selected African Countries: Implications for Policy and Practice
Partners: South African Institute for Distance Education, SAIDE (South Africa), Institute of Education, University College London (UK); University of Education, Winneba (Ghana); Botswana Open University (Botswana)
Strengthening Primary School Teacher Professional Development in Tanzania: Generating Evidence for Policy and Practice
Partners: University of Dodoma (Tanzania), University of Graz, Institute for Education Research and Teacher Education (Austria), Arusha Technical College (Tanzania)