African Nations Collaborate to Enhance Educational Resources at RARE Conference in Togo

Lomé, Togo – Representatives from 13 Francophone African nations convened in Togo on Tuesday, August 24th, for the second edition of the Rencontres Africaines pour les Ressources Éducatives (RARE), or African Encounters for Educational Resources. This initiative, funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and implemented by UNESCO and the Institut Français, aims to improve equitable access to diverse and high-quality educational resources for primary and secondary school students.

RARE conference Aims to Improve Educational Access

Over three days, representatives from national education and culture ministries, alongside professionals from the book industry-including publishers, booksellers, and authors-will address various themes. The goal is to highlight progress made since 2020, share lessons learned, and identify concrete strategies to sustain achievements. The discussions also aim to improve the quality of learning in Togo [2].

Did You Know? The first RARE conference took place in Dakar, Senegal, in 2022.

Guillaume Husson, head of the Education sector at UNESCO’s West African regional office, stated, “These three days signify more than just a new edition; they symbolize the culmination of five years of shared effort, collective commitment, and innovation in service of the quality of educational resources in Francophone sub-Saharan Africa. Since 2020, the Educational Resources project has supported 13 sub-Saharan African countries in an ambitious undertaking: rethinking, structuring, enriching, and making accessible relevant, inclusive educational resources adapted to local contexts. National policies better anchored in the realities of neighboring countries are emerging.”

Key Objectives and Togo’s Commitment

Participants hope to strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors, educational stakeholders, and technical partners. They also aim to improve the quality of resources by considering new digital uses, promote mutualization among countries, and ensure effective accessibility of resources to those who need them most: students, teachers, and schools. UNESCO and UNICEF have also contributed to Togo’s education [3].

Isaac tchiakpe, Minister of Technical education, Vocational Training, and Apprenticeship, emphasized Togo’s commitment to educational resources, noting, “Since 2020, Togo has engaged in a series of structural reforms aimed at profoundly modernizing its education system and strengthening its effectiveness. These reforms, articulated around the government roadmap (FDR 2020-2025) and the Sectoral Education plan (PSE 2020-2030), reflect our desire to make education a essential lever for the human and economic development of our country.”

Expected outcomes of the RARE Conference

• Enhanced collaboration between public and private sectors.
• Improved quality of educational resources.
• Promotion of resource sharing among participating countries.
• Increased accessibility of resources for students and educators.

Togo’s Education System: A Foundation for Growth

Togo’s formal education system follows a 2-6-6 structure [2]. Primary education serves as the bedrock, equipping children with essential numeracy and literacy skills [3]. The nation has also adopted a national Teacher Policy [1][2].

Pro Tip: Strengthening early childhood care and education is crucial for long-term educational success.

The ongoing reforms in Togo align with broader efforts to enhance the quality and accessibility of education across the African continent. By focusing on relevant, inclusive, and locally adapted resources, these initiatives aim to create a more equitable and effective learning habitat for all students.

What innovative educational resources do you think are most needed in African schools today? How can technology play a bigger role in bridging the education gap?

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