EU transforming lives through education in Eswatini - International Day of Education

EU Ambassador to Eswatini, Dessislava Choumelova, signed the agreements in Mbabane together with the acting Prime Minister, Thulisile Dladla, in the presence of three Cabinet Ministers – Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Dr Tambo Gina, Minister of Education, Owen Nxumalo, and Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Bongani Nzima.

In her speech during the signing ceremony, Ambassador Choumelova said the EU was currently increasing, in a significant way, its investment in education in partner countries, including Eswatini, stressing that education was a cornerstone to economic and social development in pursuit of peace and prosperity and towards achieving the SDGs. Ambassador highlighted the transformational power of education as the strongest social equalizer.

Acting Prime Minister, Dladla, in her response, thanked the EU for its support, saying it will go a long way in not only transforming lives through education in Eswatini, but also providing the necessary skills for jobs for Emaswati youth.

Also in attendance during the event were young people including students from the Eswatini College of Technology (ECOT) where the ceremony was held, principals of vocational institutions in the country, representatives of civil society organisations and a member of the EU Youth Advisory Board.