Through a strategy of training a network of adult education teachers, the programme has created a pool of competent, well-qualified and highly trained workforce that is now spearheading community development activities.

UNESCO: Adult Learning and Illiteracy Elimination Programme

Participants firmly insisted on the need for a stronger focus on early childhood care and education, more and better qualified teachers, as well as reform of post-primary education, including technical and vocational training, and the need to concentrate more on all aspects of the quality of education.

UNESCO: Education

Starting in early 2013, the four-year initiative will focus on enhancing teacher education systems in eight countries so as to train an adequate number of qualified teachers to achieve EFA. Project activities will boost national capacity in ministries and key teacher training institutions, staff skills and competencies and supporting resources such as a knowledge base, with ICT as a major component.

UNESCO: MEDIA SERVICES

Fern Turner from the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) said the talents of newly qualified graduates were being wasted because of the lack of jobs, but disagreed that Northern Ireland was training too many teachers.

BBC: Just 5% of new teachers secure permanent jobs in NI