Uniting for Education: East Africa's Collective Journey Toward Achieving Continental Education Goals

 

The East African Community (EAC) Education Conference serves as a pivotal moment for member states to come together and reaffirm their commitment to the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2016-2025) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

In his  remarks, the Chairperson of the RELI Africa Board of Directors, Mr. John Kalage, emphasized the significance of this gathering as more than just a reflection on past achievements but a crucial platform to address ongoing challenges in the region's education systems.

"The conference is an opportunity to galvanize member states towards achieving the Continental Education Strategy for Africa and the SDGs," said Mr. Kalage. 

"It is also an opportune time for the East African Community to take stock of our progress in education, deliberate on the particular challenges that have left some children behind, and strategize for their implementation and realization."

Mr. Kalage highlighted the critical importance of ensuring that no child is left behind in the region's pursuit of quality education. 

He noted that this conference allows stakeholders to engage in focused conversations about the status of education in East Africa, identify specific solutions that might work for the region's unique challenges, and, most importantly, hold each other mutually responsible for the outcomes.

"Most importantly, we all strive to enact those solutions and hold each other mutually responsible and accountable for ensuring every child enjoys their right to quality education," Mr. Kalage asserted. 

He also underscored the broader context of global education commitments, particularly those made at the Transforming Education Summit in New York in September 2022. Governments worldwide, including those in East Africa, pledged to expand investments, mobilize political will, and urgently address the global education crisis.

"At the Transforming Education Summit, governments made commitments, including expanding investment and mobilizing efforts to ensure no one is left behind," Mr. Kalage recalled. "These commitments are crucial as we face the global crisis in education."

Following this global initiative, the African Union (AU) declared education as its theme for the year 2024, under the banner "Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa." 

This theme aligns perfectly with the goals of the EAC Education Conference, which aims to foster collective action for quality, inclusive, and lifelong learning in East Africa.

"Our education systems must be more responsive than ever to all our learners' needs," Mr. Kalage stated. "We recognize the progress made in advancing education in the East Africa region, but we also know there is still a lot of work to do."

Mr. Kalage acknowledged that while significant progress has been made in advancing education in East Africa, substantial challenges remain. He expressed his optimism about the conference's potential to spark new initiatives and collaborations that could further strengthen the region's education systems.

"As a collaborative network, we hope that the outcomes of this conference will lead to the establishment and integration of a regional network and forum that will strengthen multi-sectoral partnerships and engagement for developing education in the East African region," Mr. Kalage said. "Our fight is one fight—together, we can create a better region with better education systems that guarantee a brighter future for all children."

Mr. Kalage concluded his remarks with a call to action, urging all stakeholders to work together to achieve the vision of a robust and inclusive education system across East Africa. "Together, we can create a region with education systems that guarantee a brighter future for all children," he affirmed. 

The EAC Education Conference is more than a discussion forum, it is a call for unity and concerted action. 

As East Africa moves forward, the lessons, insights, and commitments made at this conference will serve as a foundation for building an education system that meets the needs of every child and prepares them for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

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