Rwanda hosts the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Ministerial Conference on Education Post-2015. The three-day conference attended by 47 ministers and delegations from across the Sub-Saharan Africa who have come together to set out an African vision for the post-2015 education agenda.
This regional ministerial conference is organised by the Government of Rwanda in collaboration with the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO).
The conference is also attended by stakeholders from regional economic communities, international organisations, civil society representatives, UN agencies and academics from countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In his opening remarks, Rwanda’s Minister of Education Prof. Silas Lwakabamba stated that, in the last decade, the Sub-Saharan part of the continent has made progress in increasing equitable access to basic education which now stands at 96.6 percent at primary level.
Notwithstanding such successes however, we do recognize that improvements in the quality of education needs special attention, especially during the early years of schooling.
Speaking at the conference, UNESCO’s Assistant Director General for Education Mr. Qian Tang pointed out that the conference is held in preparation of this year’s World Education Forum, and that its outcomes will inform perspectives and recommendations for the post-2015 agenda:
This conference will promote an analysis of regional progress in education, particularly in the context of Education for All (EFA) goals. It will also contribute to the elaboration of the Framework Action to be approved at the World Education Forum.
The conference plays a crucial role in ensuring that Africa’s voice is heard and contributes to defining the education agenda.
In its National Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation, Rwanda prioritises investment in education to achieve the country’s development objectives with an aim to develop strong and efficient networks of skills and knowledge.
Rwanda promotes scientific and technological innovation as key enablers to ensure sustainable economic growth and the country’s vision is to become a knowledge-based economy by 2020.
