Story by John Nhandara
The Pan African Parliament (PAP) says national and regional parliaments should prioritise and enact policies that foster inclusive and equitable educational opportunities for all citizens in line with the 2024 African Union theme.
The 12th Annual Conference of Speakers of African National and Regional Parliaments kicked off at the Pan African Parliament headquarters in Midrand, South Africa, to reflect on and proffer parliamentary solutions to contemporary challenges facing the African continent.
The imperative of crafting comprehensive policies to bolster access to quality and affordable education and address educational disparities across African nations, in line with the 2024 African Union’s theme, emerged topical.
“The AU theme for 2024, “Educate an African fit for the 21st century: Building resilient education systems for increased Access to Inclusive Lifelong, Quality and Relevant Learning in Africa” requires you to come up with policies that speak to this agenda. The onus now lies on the speakers of parliaments to translate the rhetoric of the conference into concrete legislative action and policies,” said Pan African Parliament president, Chief Fortune Charumbira.
“We need to rethink our budgeting processes and make sure more resources are directed towards education systems,” noted South Africa’s Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon Thoko Didiza.
Zimbabwe’s Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda also said, “Africa has come up with protocols that promote education. In Zimbabwe, we have introduced the education 5.0 model which promotes innovation and that is in the right direction.”
During the conference, Speakers of Parliaments deliberated on the status of peace and security in Africa, and its impact on continental integration and economic development.
