By Doreen Ampofo
The sixth African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meetings has opened in Accra with a call on African governments to invest in STEM education and digital learning platforms.
The meetings will end on July 21, with the 45th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Unions, where leaders will discuss critical issues affecting the continent, including peace and security, economic development, and social integration.
The African leaders are among other things discussing how the continent can build resilient educational systems, that prioritize inclusion, quality and lifelong learning, fit for 21st century education.
The Executive will also discuss the Continental Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy” and “African Digital Compact” which was unanimously endorsed by the African ICT and Communications Ministers last month.
In an address, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway called for a review of educational curriculum across the continent that fits the current world and promotes inclusion, creativity and critical thinking. She said the Government of Ghana has shown commitment to building an educational system that prepares children for the future.
The asked leaders to harness their strengths to reform the educational sector.
Madam Ayorkor Botchway said ‘certain endearing lessons have emerged from our experiences with STEM education which we hope to share for you kind consideration. By investing in our educators, we have been able to improve their skills and knowledge thereby enhancing their ability to build the capacity of the next generation of citizens’.
“The nature of our educational curriculum must be reviewed. An outdated curriculum cannot meet the needs of today’s generation. It is essential to undertake thorough reviews and where necessary redesign educational curriculum across all levels, “she noted.
The Foreign Affairs Minister noted that the goal should be to foster critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration and creativity as these are skills are essential for thriving in the 21st century. She added that inclusivity, must be at the height of Africa’s educational policies.
Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Claver Gatete, raised the issue with the continent’s financial challenges which are a result of high indebtedness and dwindling foreign direct investments, worsened by climate change and rising food and energy costs.
He explained that Climate change is costing Africa, about 5 percent of GDP and it is also increasing adding that the global level playing field also remains uneven, especially for Africa. Despite these obstacles, Africa has enormous potential which includes significant arable land, coveted natural and critical mineral resources, major energy renewable potential, a youthful population and a sizable market.
To change the narrative, Mr. Gatete said leaders must build a robust educational system which ensures that three-quarters of African youth have digital skills.
“We must translate this potential into actions, starting with transforming our educational system. Education must be integrated into our industrial policy. We must make deliberate effort to ensure that three-quarters of Africa’s youth without digital skills are equipped to meaningfully participate in the workforce of the future”, he noted.
Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, among other things, pleaded with leaders to redeem their financial pledges for the establishment of the African Humanitarian Agency.
