African Education Stakeholders Pursue Alignment with Evolving Labour Market Dynamics
Africa’s education stakeholders are striving to harmonize the continent’s education standards with emerging labor market challenges.
Mr. Ezekiel Machogu, Cabinet Secretary for Education, stated that Africa’s pivotal role in the evolution of labor markets and education systems necessitates policies that promote lifelong learning and empower individuals to acquire the necessary skills and credentials for success.
According to Machogu, this will enable Africa to contribute to a more inclusive future in which the workforce is adaptable, resilient, and prepared to face the opportunities and challenges of the future.
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He lauded the dedication of various governments to develop responsive and effective frameworks that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and support the skills revolution, social inclusion, and increased employability for all segments of the population.
Dr. Esther Muoria, Principal Secretary, State Department for Technical and Vocational Training (TVET), delivered the remarks on behalf of the CS during the African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF) II Training Workshop conducted at a Nairobi hotel.
‘Making National Qualifications Frameworks Operational in a Changing World’ is the topic of the three-day training workshop.
Machogu remarked that he is impressed by the launch of the innovative training program that emphasizes the significance of the current educational landscape, particularly in light of the ongoing global shifts in qualification frameworks.
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He emphasized that a nation demonstrating its commitment to policies focused on improving the credibility and relevance of qualifications in alignment with evolving global trends is a nation with a forward-thinking perspective.
The CS noted that the transformative nature of qualifications, which have had a significant impact on global megatrends like digitalization, automation, demographic changes, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic, has reshaped the relationship between education systems and the labor market.
In order to acquire credentials for lifelong learning, reskilling and upskilling necessitate a flexible strategy, which he emphasized further.
Machogu emphasized the importance of bridging the divide between education and employment, with high-quality and reputable credentials recognized at all levels.
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Dr. Alice Kande, acting director general of the Kenya National Qualifications Authority, emphasized the complexity of the contemporary world and the need for continuous adaptation to technological and economic changes.
Dr. Kande emphasized the importance of qualification frameworks in influencing the quality and relevance of education in each nation.
She noted that the KNQF is a beacon of educational enlightenment in Kenya, offering learners, professionals, and institutions structured pathways to keep pace with change.
She stated that KNQF represents a structured journey of personal and professional development, with levels that are not merely designations but rather operational rungs that help individuals achieve their objectives.
Dr. Kande implored African nations to establish their own National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs) that highlight their role in advancing education, fostering regional collaboration, and boosting global competitiveness.
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She emphasized the need for meaningful dialogue, the exchange of best practices, and the resolution of obstacles in the pursuit of transparent qualifications and mutual trust for lifelong learning in Africa, drawing from the experiences of countries such as Kenya and South Africa.
Dr. Kande drew attention to the evolving character of NQFs by emphasizing their increasing adoption of digitalization.
She noted that effective NQFs are essential to achieving SDG-4 in the area of inclusive and equitable quality education and SDG-8 on decent work and economic growth, while also contributing to the broader goals of skills revolution, social inclusion, and improved employability.
The ACQF-II Training Workshop is destined to be a crucible for forging a path toward a more harmonized, transparent, and effective education system in Africa, whose effects will be felt for decades.
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African Education Stakeholders Pursue Alignment with Evolving Labour Market Dynamics
