SADC PF President advocates for transformative education at Pan African Parliament

16 September 2024

The President of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, Honourable Roger Mancienne

Share this story

By Moses Magadza

The President of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, Honourable Roger Mancienne, has underlined the urgent need for educational reform across the continent, advocating for a comprehensive strategy to build resilient education systems that cater to all Africans in the 21st century.

Hon Mancienne, who is also the Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, made the call on Monday when he addressed a sitting of the Pan African Parliament Committee virtually.

“We must recognize the pivotal role that quality and relevant learning play in shaping a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable future,” Hon Mancienne said during a session themed “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century.”

Noting that over 98 million children in Africa were out of school, Hon Mancienne drew attention to learning poverty, a phenomenon where 90% of children in Sub-Saharan Africa are unable to read a simple text by age ten.

He said that learning poverty had been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and presents a significant barrier to educational access and attainment across the SADC region. He called on parliaments and governments to take decisive action in tackling these challenges.

Highlighting the critical role education plays in achieving the African Union’s Agenda 2063, Hon Mancienne praised the African Union for proposing ten national and continental objectives to drive educational reform.

These objectives focus on building inclusive education systems that prioritize teacher development, STEM education, vocational training, and digital solutions.

“Foundational learning is the bedrock upon which all further learning is built,” Hon Mancienne asserted. He argued that without a solid foundation, efforts to create a knowledge-based economy would falter.  

He argued that equitable access to quality foundational education could significantly reduce educational disparities and promote social inclusion, in line with the goals of the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) 2016-2025.

Hon Mancienne also emphasised the importance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in transforming Africa’s education landscape, stating, “TVET must be elevated to address the skills gap and enhance employability.”

He highlighted the potential of TVET to empower the continent’s youthful population, reinforcing the need for lifelong learning and adaptability in a rapidly evolving job market.

“In Africa, education must drive transformation,” he said, adding, “Together, we can create an Africa where every individual has the tools to succeed and where our collective potential is fully realized.”

(C) TPA2024

Last Posts

Leader of Opposition Hon. Dumelang Saleshando whose Botswana Congress Party (BCP) boasts 15 MPs in the 13th Parliament

 A Response to the State of the Nation Address

Share this story

Share this storyBy Hon Dumelang Saleshando Leader of Opposition 21 November 2024 Title: We have crossed the Rubicon: Now what awaits us? A new or old Botswana Mr. Speaker, your Honour the Vice President and…

16 September 2024

State of the Nation Address to the First Meeting of the First Session of the 13th Parliament

Share this story

Share this storyBy Advocate Duma Gideon Boko President of the Republic of Botswana 19th November 2024 Theme: Transforming Botswana for inclusive growth May their souls rest in peace and in their memory, let us forge…

16 September 2024

HB invests 137 Million Pula in Botswana, fuelling the nation’s rise as a diamond powerhouse

Share this story

Share this storyEighteen (18) months after launch, HB is advancing HB Botswana’s processing capacity with a transformative new 137 million Pula investment. This commitment will expand HB’s processing capacity and create hundreds of high-quality jobs,…

16 September 2024

Elephant over-population causes massive destruction of trees, poor food and water supply for all the wildlife_

U.S. Appeals Court’s decision on ivory, Rhino horn sales may signal reopening of international trade

Share this story

Share this story By Emmanuel Koro  Johannesburg,  19 November 2024 In a significant development for a return to a reasonable approach to trade in ivory and rhino horn products,  the U.S. Second Court of Appeals has…

16 September 2024

India in top 10 globally for patents, trademarks and industrial designs

Share this story

Share this storyIndia now ranks among the top 10 countries globally in the number of patents, trademarks and industrial design applications, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) 2024 report on IP trends. The…

16 September 2024

Irina Abramova (Moderator), Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug (Mauritania FM), Sergey Lavrov (Russia FM) and Dr Monque Nsanzabanganwa (African Union Commission) - Pic (TPA)

Russia has never been involved in the exploitation of African peoples – Sergey Lavrov

Share this story

Share this storyThe Pan Afrikanist Watchman At the close of the First Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum on November 10th 2024 in the Sirius Federal Territory, Sochi, Russia’s veteran Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov…

16 September 2024

Related Stories