SADC parliamentary forum president Roger Mancienne advocates transformative education

A staggering 90% of children in sub-Saharan Africa are unable to read a simple text by the age of 10.

This was said by the president of the SADC parliamentary forum, Roger Mancienne, while addressing a pan-African parliamentary committee virtually on Monday.

He said there is an urgent need for educational reform across Africa.

Mancienne called for a comprehensive strategy to build resilient education systems that cater to all Africans in the 21st century.

The speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles said: “We must recognise the pivotal role quality and relevant learning play in shaping a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable future.”

Noting that over 98 million children in Africa were not attending school, he drew the attention to learning poverty.

Mancienne said learning poverty has 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.

Mancienne praised the African Union for proposing 10 national and continental objectives to drive educational reform. These objectives focus on building inclusive education systems that prioritise teacher development, science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, vocational training, and digital solutions.

“Foundational learning is the bedrock upon which all further learning is built,” he said.

He also emphasised the importance of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in transforming Africa’s education landscape.

“TVET must be elevated to address the skills gap and enhance employability,” he said.

Mancienne 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.

“Together, we can create an Africa where every individual has the tools to succeed and where our collective potential is fully realised.”

*Moses Magadza is an SADC PF spokesperson.