EAC Adopts Strategic Education Plans to Integrate Education Sector in Region
The East African Community (EAC) has adopted seven strategic education plans aimed at enhancing integration in the education sector in East Africa. These plans are focused on the basic and tertiary levels of education, including Pre-Primary, Primary, Secondary, Teacher Education, TVET, Continuing and Non-Formal Education, and Special Needs Education.
Dr. Peter Mathuki, the EAC Secretary General, emphasized the importance of harmonizing the education systems and training curricula to facilitate the free movement of persons across the Partner States as envisaged under the EAC Common Market Protocol.
The EAC is working towards the sustainability of EAC Scholarship Programmes through its specialised institution, the Inter-University Council of East Africa (IUCEA), and the various EAC Centres of Excellence. The implementation of EAC Teacher and Students’ mobility programmes would also facilitate the free movement of persons across the Partner States, as outlined in the EAC Common Market Protocol.
Dr. Mathuki noted that the number of students studying in different Partner States has increased over the years, facilitated by the issuance of visa gratis to students admitted in approved training institutions across all Partner States. Partner States have eased visa requirements to implement the commitments under the EAC Common Market Protocol.
During the opening session of a three-day Conference of Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) in Machakos County, which took place at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, Dr. Mathuki praised teachers as professionals in transforming society by opening up minds.
He urged them to sensitize their students on the integration process and its benefits. The education sector is a key contributor to the EAC integration process, and Dr. Mathuki called on teachers to become goodwill ambassadors to ensure ownership of the integration process by the people at the grassroots.
Dr. Mathuki informed the teachers that the EAC conducts an annual Secondary School Students’ Essay Writing Competition awarded by the EAC Heads of State Summit. He urged them to encourage their students to participate in the annual competition, noting that the Summit has awarded 30 winners from 2019 to 2021.
Dr. Mathuki emphasized that an expanded EAC market would increase trade to promote economic growth and create more employment opportunities for the youth in the region.
The forum was attended by the Chairperson of the Machakos County Education Board, Prof. David Mulwa, the County Director of Education, Margaret Mwirigi, and the Chairperson of the Machakos KESSHA, Anthony Kitungi.
Kitungi thanked the EAC Secretariat for allowing the association to hold its conference at the EAC Headquarters, noting that education goes beyond the classroom. It was an excellent opportunity for teachers to interact with new people, understand their culture, and see new environments.
EAC Adopts Strategic Education Plans to Integrate Education Sector in Region