SADC parliament calls for comprehensive education policies

Southern African Development Community (SADC) parliamentary forum secretary general Boemo Sekgoma urges African leaders to address lingering obstacles to progress, especially in ensuring comprehensive education for all across the continent.

Sekgoma, in a statement on Africa Day 2024, said the voices of parliamentarians in the SADC region and across the continent are calling for renewed leadership and commitment to revitalise efforts towards the realisation of the right to education for all.

“We need to confront the obstacles that still prevent many from accessing education, particularly young women and girls. Gender disparities, cultural barriers, economic challenges and inadequate infrastructure continue to impede progress. We must tackle these issues head-on with comprehensive policies and targeted interventions,” Sekgoma said.

She said leaders have a solemn duty and collective responsibility to ensure that every African child has access to quality education to enable them to become an agent of change and driver of the continent’s future.

“Today, I call upon all stakeholders – governments, civil society, the private sector and international partners – to take decisive action to enhance access to quality education, advocate for increased investments and develop effective educational policies to address both access and quality issues in education across Africa,” Sekgoma said.

Africa Day is observed this year under the theme, ‘Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa’.