African leaders want research findings to form basis of education reform
New York, US (PANA) - African leaders have called for the speedy transformation of the educational systems in Africa by ensuring effective, efficient and equitable implementation of key research findings aimed at revitalising education.
The African leaders, who attended a High-level side event to galvanise actions for transforming education systems in Africa, also noted the need for gender equality in the education sector.
The High-Level Side Event was held on the margins of the global Transforming Education Summit (TES) and the 77th United Nations General Assembly, the African Union Commission (AUC) said Thursday.
The event was focused on ‘Transforming Education’ in the specific context of Africa and brought together Heads of State, Ministers, education, experts, civil society, private sector and the youth.
The President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, in his remarks called for closer cooperation and stronger commitment on initiatives such as gender equality, skills building, digital learning, and education financing.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana said financing for education was a key priority among other priorities.
He added that there is a need to align what is being taught in school and what happens in the real world.
The Summit called for steps to ensure the effective, efficient and equitable amplification of the key findings of the national consultations under TES in Africa and presenting a declaration on priority actions for transforming education in Africa.
The AUC, UN cultural organisation (UNESCO), UN children's fund (UNICEF), World Food Programme (WFP) and the European Union (EU), co-organised the event.
In his remarks, AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (ESTI), Professor Mohammed Belhocine, said the event aimed at taking forward bold commitments from the Transforming Education Summit and contextualising them for the transformation of Education in Africa.
Moussa Faki, Chairperson of the AUC, said the high-level event will mark an approach that will help revolutionise education, technology and innovation on the Continent.
He reiterated the Commission’s commitment in working with member states to transform education in Africa.
While officially opening the High-level side event, President Macky Sall of Senegal observed that the school of success required the mobilization of all stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, UNESCO Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, said we must tackle the learning crisis through increased investment in foundational learning.
-0- PANA AO/MA 29Sept2022
