Africa-Press – Eswatini. In an effort to improve the quality of education in the country and promote cultural exchange between Eswatini and Turkey, the transcontinental country is looking to set up an international school in the kingdom.
This was disclosed by the Turkish Ambassador to Eswatini Aysegul Kandas at the Turkish Consul residence at Ezulwini yesterday.
Ambassador Kandas is in the country on a two-day working visit following her first one in May when she submitted her credentials to the Head of State.
On her first day, she met with the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Themba Masuku, Minister of Foreign Affairs Thuli Dladla, Minister of Agriculture Jabulani Mabuza as well as the Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Education Bheki Gama.
“We would like to set up an international school in Eswatini to promote international education in an international environment through the Turkish Maarif Foundation. The curriculum will of course be the one used in Eswatini, but it will be taught in an international environment resembling some of the very best schools in the world,” she said.
The ambassador highlighted that Turkey was interested in investing in human capital development in the country and, therefore, disclosed plans to give scholarships to underprivileged children, who would otherwise not afford the opportunity of quality education to study at the school.
“Since the aim is to have an international school, it will also assist students in getting scholarship to further their education in Turkey and in some of the best tertiary institutions in the world.
“Another very important part about the school is to bridge the cultural divide and promote cultural exchange between Turkey and Eswatini,” she explained.
Regarding investing in human capital, the ambassador mentioned plans to increase the number of scholarships offered annually to Emaswati and to also host trainings for officials under the DPM’s office to assist the country in its fight against gender-based violence (GBV).
Aimed
“This visit to Eswatini is mainly aimed at finding opportunities for cooperation with different ministries and even though we aren’t really about the construction of infrastructure I have, however, seen a lot of potential in human development investment, especially for women and the youth.”
The ambassador’s delegation included the commercial counselor for the Turkish Embassy, and the Turkish Development Cooperation Agency (TIKA), hence she emphasised on intentions to open a fishery and bring Turkish investors such as modern households appliances giants DEFY.
“During my meeting with the minister of agriculture, we spoke about plans to develop a fisheries project located just an hour outside the capital city.
Expert
“Turkey will bring an expert for the project and will also provide whatever equipment will be needed. We anticipate that this project will be complete by the end of the year,” said Kandas.
“We also want to bring the Turkish companies based in South Africa to Eswatini.
We have about 70 of them operating in South Africa based mainly in Gauteng and Kwa- Zulu-Natal, so we would like to encourage them to come and explore new investment opportunities in Eswatini, which is what I will be meeting the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) chief executive officer about tomorrow (today).”
The ambassador is scheduled to meet the Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development David Ngcamphalala as well as the Minister of Tourism Moses Vilakati before she jets out at 5pm this afternoon.
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