Affiliated Network for Social Accountability (ANSA-Africa)

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COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE

ANSA-Africa is a project of the Economic Governance Programme, IDASA

Publications

Communique: The third ordinary session of the Conference of Ministers of Education of the African Union
10 August 2007

The third ordinary session of the Conference of Ministers of Education of the African Union (COMEDAF III) took place in Johannesburg, South Africa from 9 to 10 August 2007. The Ministers discussed the progress made in the implementation of the Plan of Action, with special reference to higher education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and teacher development. The Ministers also discussed an implementation and monitoring mechanism for the Second Decade of Education. An exhibition of educational materials and equipment for teaching science and technology was also held.

A total of forty two (42) AU Member States attended the meeting. Also in attendance were the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), specialised institutions of the African Union (AU) and international organisations.

The meeting elected the following Bureau:
Chairperson: South Africa
First Vice-Chairperson: Republic of Congo
Second Vice-Chairperson: The Sudan
Third Vice-Chairperson: The Gambia
Rapporteur: Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

The Conference considered a number of presentations on the progress made in the implementation of the Plan of Action for the Second Decade of Education for Africa and endorsed the following documents as useful frameworks that can guide policies and programmes in the relevant areas:
1. Strategy for Harmonisation of Higher Education in Africa.
2. Strategy for a Quality Rating Mechanism for African Higher Education.
3. Strategy for Technical and Vocational Education with special reference to countries in post-conflict situations.
4. Policy framework on access to post-primary education for refugees and displaced persons.

The Conference also endorsed a proposed strategy for developing a mechanism for the establishment of an African Education, Science and Technology Fund.

To follow-up on commitments by key stakeholders to the Plan of Action for the Second Decade of Education for Africa, the conference endorsed a mechanism for reporting on implementation of the Plan of Action and for establishing strategic partnerships to ensure greater harmonisation and co-ordination of education sector programmes in Africa.

The conference agreed to the following commitments:

* Member States will take up the role of chief advocates for the Plan of Action by:
1. Integrating it into national development strategies and programmes.
2. Identifying and institutionalising Focal Points for Education, for purposes of liaison with the Commission of the African Union and Regional Economic Communities.
3. Identifying at least one area of focus in which each Member State will act as d champion at local and international levels.
4. Preparing reports to present at annual regional meetings and biennial COMEDAF sessions.
* Regional Economic Communities will take up their role as the focus for co-ordination of activities in Member States and for reporting to the African Union Commission and COMEDAF by:
1. Providing updates on performance of Member States in Steering Committee and Bureau meetings.
2. Compiling annual reports and organising annual regional conferences for Ministers of Education.
3. Developing communication and publicity strategies.
4. Establishing strong education desks in their secretariats.
On collective visioning
The conference reiterated the legitimacy of the Plan of Action as the collective African vision and priorities in Education, and urged Partners to adjust their programmes for education in Africa accordingly.

On partnerships
The Conference urged the Commission of the African Union to expedite formalisation of collaboration with the Association for the Development of Education in Africa

On other issues
1. In order to ensure that our systems of Education reflect African realities and meet the challenges of the African Renaissance, the conference reaffirmed commitment to realise the process of the rebuilding of African educational systems taking into account positive African culture, multilingualism and promotion of the teaching and learning of African history and societal values.
2. The conference committed to development of national Book Policies to strengthen the development and production of quality educational materials.
3. In recognition of the importance of higher education in national and regional development as well as in support of primary and secondary schooling, the conference reiterated the need to support the revitalisation of higher education, to enable it to better respond to human resource and research needs of the continent