The Southern African Development Community (SADC) ministers recently met in Harare, Zimbabwe, where they reviewed key policies and regulatory frameworks and considered progress in the implementation of programmes within the education, training, and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) sectors.
At the Joint Meeting of SADC Ministers Responsible for Education and Training, and Science, Technology, and Innovation, the ministers emphasised the importance of digital transformation, partnerships, collaboration, and the advancement of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, particularly among women and girls.
The SADC Protocol on Education and Training serves as a guide for policy implementation in Education and Training, and Science, Technology and Innovation, and is designed to advance the SADC Industrialisation Strategy, particularly within the agro-processing, mineral beneficiation and pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors.
Honourable Dr. Fredrick Shava, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development of Zimbabwe and Chairperson of the Joint Meeting, reaffirmed that education is fundamental to innovation and industrial progress and noted its critical role in providing the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and manage key economic sectors.
鈥淓ducation and innovation systems must be aligned with the objectives of regional integration, economic growth, social development, and good governance,鈥 said Shava.
He urged member states to prioritise investment across all education levels, including basic education, higher education, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), emphasising foundational literacy and numeracy, as well as heritage-based learning, as essential components of life-long skills development.
SADC Deputy Executive Secretary responsible for Regional Integration, Angele Makombo N鈥檛umba, emphasised that both the SADC Vision 2050 and the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030 position education, training, science, technology, and innovation as central pillars for achieving regional integration and socio-economic transformation.
She further acknowledged the challenges member states face in meeting the target of investing 1% of GDP in Research and Development. Nonetheless, she praised partnerships, such as with the World Bank, for providing technical support to strengthen institutional capacity in producing Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) indicators.
A Ministerial High-Level Roundtable on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy also held, providing member states an opportunity for strategic dialogue, experience sharing, and exchange of best practices to improve foundational skills in reading, writing, and mathematics.
In addition, Zimbabwe signed the Women in Science, Engineering, and Technology (WISETO) Charter, increasing the number of signatory member states to 12 and affirming the SADC dedication to empowering women and girls to pursue careers in STEM fields.
The meeting reaffirmed SADC鈥檚 commitment to fostering a knowledge-based economy by empowering citizens through inclusive education and innovation, thereby driving sustainable socio-economic development throughout the region.