Minister of Education Agnes NyaLonje says there is need for increased investments in education, training, science, technology and innovation in the 16-member Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region.

Speaking on Friday in Lilongwe during a joint Sadc Ministers’ Meeting on Education and Training and Science, Technology and Innovation, she said the entire Sadc region is facing challenges in the education sector largely due to lack of financial resources.

NyaLonje: There is need to increase resources

The minister: “When we talk about resources, one thing to underline is that in the Sadc, nearly all the ministers of Education know what needs to happen in their countries.

“We all agree there is need to increase resources to meet the size of demand. We have the skills and the people to improve education, training, science, technology and innovation, but what we do not have is adequate resources.”

In her remarks, Namibia’s Minister of Education, Training and Innovation Itah Kandji-Murangi commended the Sadc framework’s emphasis that member States should move towards harmonisation of their education systems, research ethics and teacher training programmes.

“This is important because as member States, whatever we do lays the foundation for our youth. It is them who will take up our different States into the future and they can only do so if we give them a formidable education that is of quality,” she said.

Sadc deputy executive secretary for regional integration Thembinkosi Mhlongo cited the absence of coherent articulation arrangements and pathways within the education system as some of the challenges in the education sector. “Currently in Sadc, the technical, vocational education and training programmes are not designed with a view to progression to higher levels of education,” he said.

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