Republic of South Africa, at the Conference of Ministers of Education of the
African Union (Comedaf), Southern Sun Hotel, Sandton
9 August 2007
Salutations
Programme Director,
African Union (AU) Commissioner,
United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco)
President General,
Ministers of Education,
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen
It is a pleasure for me to welcome you all to South Africa. I am proud to
stand in the company of leaders who are responsible for education in the
continent. This is the most important job in the whole world after being a
parent. Your role in empowering communities, our people, young and old, rich
and poor is the single most important tool in our hands to open doors to a
dignified, fulfilling and productive life for our people in this continent.
Education, like sports and culture, is one of those attributes, if you have it,
it is yours and no one can take it away from you. If you use it constructively,
the possibilities are endless. Same with artistic and sporting talent, which
can take a poor child from the most humble beginnings to the top of the
world.
As Ministers of Education of the 53 member states of the African Union, Your
task, destiny and even privilege is to do your bit even against all the odds to
take an African child from the worst possible background, invest in them
through education and change their reality for ever. If one person in every
family is supported to reach the highest level in education and change the
destiny of the family for generations that will be an achievement after all, at
least for that family. The usefulness of education is when you can change the
lives of other people for the better.
As you said, we have to get it right in a Second Decade of Education for
Africa (2006 to 2015). There is a reason to be optimistic about what lies
ahead. Indeed, as Madiba says, "Education is the most powerful weapon, which
you can use to change the world." Further ours is one of the youngest
continents, we have one of the youngest populations. At least 30 percent of
people are below the age of 35. That can be a burden or a competitive
advantage. This age factor, combined with progress of change brought about by
technology, can be an advantage but if we ignore our youth, it is a tragedy
waiting to happen. I know I am preaching to the converted, we preach anyway,
donât we?
Background to Conference
Education is a basic human right. It is no coincidence that two of the eight
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) centre on education: "Achieving universal
primary education" and "promote gender equality and empower women."
The African Union is committed to education, since education transform lives
and shapes the future of countries. This is a reason why the AU "has a vision
of an integrated, peaceful, prosperous Africa, driven by its own people to take
its rightful place in the global community and the knowledge economy." I do not
doubt the commitment of the African Union, but we must see better action and
outcomes, that is where you come in as people the Africa Union depends on to
uphold its vision.
The First Decade of Education for Africa (1997 to 2006) could not achieve
some of its goals. However, but we need to go forward. As we know, we can learn
and improve upon this experience. What we realise from a plan of action for the
First Decade of Education for Africa is that it was not adopted and implemented
till two years after the formal launch. In other words, this plan remained at a
policy level without a practical basis. This is all the more reason why from
now in this plan of action of the Second Decade of Education, we have to move
beyond strategising to action plans and policy to actionable programmes. I
volunteer myself as a partner in ensuring that we do much better in the second
decade.
We live in a global economy, which is a knowledge economy and we want Africa
to be a player there. As Africans, we have to produce and feed ourselves, which
makes the use of our basic indigenous knowledge and technology in agriculture
absolutely critical. But also the use of technology and knowledge in all walks
of life is just as critical. Africa also has to use its natural resources to
address our needs and for African people first.
Principles of a Second Decade of Education
Hard and challenging as things may be, our optimism about this continent can
be nurtured to benefit our people. Leadership emerging from this conference has
a goal of building capacity and mobilising resources. We will need all the
support we can give each other. I have hope that all our leaders are ready for
that.
I am encouraged by your talk of integrating education plans into poverty
reduction strategies building knowledge basis in all areas of education and
training. I am also encouraged that the guiding principles of the plan of
action of the Second Decade of Education emphasise the following:
* ensuring enhanced political support at national, regional, continental and
international levels,
* enhancing the capacities of regional economic communities,
* establishing strong and effective monitoring and oversight mechanisms,
* institutionalising collaboration and mutual support between countries.
Within our resource limitations, duplications and narrow views on
sovereignty lead to destructive competition and it is a luxury not to
cooperate. So we must, go beyond principles and produce plans that are
measurable and shared. Programme director, we must remember that lives of
children who have no education, are stunted forever. As a young continent we
have an obligation to use this massive force that these young minds represent.
These future generations will lead Africa to the highest levels.
Thankfully, I learn that implementation of the identified program of action
is possible since each member state will required within three months to submit
the relevant regional economic community with a detailed plan with clear
deliverables, timeframes, resourcing plans and success indicators for each area
of focus.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is only in this way that we can move
forward with confidence to the second millennium of the African
Renaissance.
Context of a lack of skills development
I have also learnt that the recommendations of the meeting of the Bureau of
Ministers have identified an unacceptably high number of poorly educated,
unskilled and unemployed youth. This report points out that, "Although some
progress has been made, the illiteracy rate in many countries is still high at
over 50 percent. The average school completion rates in Africa are such that
many young people drop out of the school system before they have acquired any
practical skills and competencies of the world of work."
The report also notes that "In almost all countries in Africa, large numbers
of graduates coming out of the formal school systems are unemployed. This
situation has brought into sharp focus the mismatch between training and labour
market skill demands." This is very familiar for us in South Africa, though
thankfully in South Africa progress has been made on graduate unemployment.
The large number of dropouts with Grade 12 or lower levels of education is
the biggest challenge in my view. What is to be done? Firstly, we need short
term 'skills for work', which will facilitate wealth creation, self reliance
and sustainable livelihoods. As they are young adults with urgent needs many
don't have an option for long-term training.
Secondly, there has to be a greater political commitment and strategic shift
from each member state to resourcing the needs of this cohort. This has to be
done by government together with the broader society especially the private
sector and families so that these young people become productive members of the
society and contributing family members.
Thirdly, there is a need for a supply of appropriate numbers and properly
qualified teachers. It means supporting teachers by providing them with the
necessary teaching resources, paying them well for their dedicated efforts of
empowering our children. So that the quality of education, teaching and
learning gets the support it deserves. We must also consider using Information
Communications Technology (ICT) extensively to share good teachers and reduce
costs. And all children must access primary education at least.
Fourthly, poverty cannot be a factor in excluding our children from
education. This situation is highlighted when it comes to girls and women.
Reducing gender-based education disparities should be of concern to our
deliberations. There has to be safety nets allowing poor children to remain in
school. Girl children and women must be given special attention. We know a lot
has been proven women will ensure their children develop and many children
depend on mothers only. At this point I must also say 'happy Women's Day'.
Fifthly, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is a
significant pillar in realising economic growth and social development.
Technical and vocational training is much suitable in responding to a mismatch
between training and labour market demands. Which must also have an open-door
entry not requiring entry qualifications. It offers skills that are readily
responsive to a world of work. By funding TVET we make an investment into
producing young people with gainful employment who can stand on their own. All
of this does not mean we no longer prioritise higher education.
Conclusion
As I conclude, I also want to wish Minister Pandor well in her new task as your
chairperson. Colleagues, fellow Africans, I have spoken at length about a need
to translate policy into implementation and shared with you my own dreams and
thousand thoughts. Indeed, I hope that somewhere our thoughts come together and
you will identify what is realistic, possible and important. We cannot allow
millions of our people to remain excluded from education because of poverty.
Educating our people, young and old, should be placed squarely on the national
and continental agenda and as regions we must work together.
The empowerment of women, girls and those in rural areas is an investment
into our future. As a continent, education is synonymous with economic and
social growth. The role of men as partners is crucial in a fight to end gender
disparity in education. Without a doubt, education is a "tool for entrenching
peace, justice and equity." I wish all women here today, even those who are not
South African, a happy women's day. I also wish you success in the
implementation of your resolutions.
I thank you
Issued by: The Presidency
9 August 2007
Source: The Presidency (http://wwww.thepresidency.gov.za)
