The Minister of Education and Training praised SASE’s legacy of cross-border collaboration, which has expanded to include several countries such as Eswatini, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Namibia.
He pointed out that this collaboration has strengthened regional integration and facilitated the sharing of best practices in education and research.
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He encouraged continued regional cooperation, particularly in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and curriculum development.
Mngometulu who was representing the Minister, touched on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which highlighted the challenges posed by educational inequalities and expressed the need for resilient, technology-driven educational systems.
She pointed to the Eswatini government’s efforts to address these challenges through digital inclusion projects, partnerships with international organizations, and capacity-building programs for teachers.
A notable example is the Eswatini Learning Passport, a joint venture between the government and UNICEF, which provides quality educational resources to learners across the country, accessible online even during emergencies.
The Minister also praised the University of Eswatini for introducing blended learning and online courses to upskill teachers in digital tools.
This initiative aligns with the government’s comprehensive commitment to providing educators with the necessary skills to effectively use technology in the classroom.
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As Mngometulu concluded the Minister’ speech, she urged all stakeholders in education including governments, universities, researchers, and international partners to collaborate in enhancing innovative educational practices that promote equitable, inclusive, and high-quality education.
She encouraged active participation in the conference and ongoing dialogue to ensure that educational research translates into practical, sustainable solutions for the region.
“I am optimistic about the future of education in our region, which will be driven by good research, healthy collaboration, and innovation,” Mngometulu said.
She expressed hope that the discussions and outcomes from the 48th SASE Conference would help shape the future of education in Southern Africa for years to come
