Education International Africa

Education International Africa (EIA), through its Promoting Education and Educators’ Rights (PEER) Project in Africa, supported by the Solidarity Centre of Finland (SASK) and the Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ), successfully facilitated an impactful exchange visit to Botswana from 16thto 17thOctober 2025.

The event involved members of the Southern Africa Young Educators Network (SAYEN) from Eswatini, Mozambique and South Africa and their counterparts in Botswana to visit union offices and schools. The visit aimed to foster peer learning, south - south cooperation, strengthen youth participation in education unions, and advocate for improved teaching and learning conditions across the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

During the exchange visit to Botswana, SAYEN members engaged with educators from the Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) and Botswana Sector of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU). The visit revealed key insights into Botswana’s centrally managed education system, which contrasts with South Africa’s decentralized model. Participants noted both strengths, such as digital learning tools and community engagement, and challenges, including overcrowded classrooms and limited youth representation in union leadership.

The young educators recommended among other things the following:

• Government action to improve infrastructure, teacher remuneration, and professional development.
• Union reforms to promote youth inclusion through mentorship and leadership training.
• Enhanced parental and community involvement to support student outcomes.

The exchange visit reaffirms the importance of regional solidarity, youth empowerment, and multi-stakeholder collaboration in advancing inclusive and equitable education across Southern Africa. EIA extends its gratitude to all participating unions and educators for their commitment to building a stronger future for education in the region and to SASK and OJA for supporting this noble initiative.