Stakeholders advocate education sector reforms in Africa

African education stakeholders are calling for immediate and collective action to address the pressing education crisis facing the continent.

Stakeholders in the education sector are advocating for investments in Africa’s educational systems as a catalyst for transformative social change.

According to them, quality education is a critical component in fortifying democratic governance in Africa.

The experts made the call on Thursday in Edo State during the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Annual Democracy Dialogue, themed “2024: Applauds EdoBEST Education Reforms”

The Executive Director of the GJF, Ann Iyonu, described education as a major means for any nation to empower its citizens.

Iyonu said, “Education is a major means for any nation to empower its citizens and functional education is going beyond the usually obtainable in the continent.

“This year’s theme which focused on “Functional Leadership and Effective Political Leadership As A Panacea to Africa’s Growth and Development” sought to draw attention to the urgent crisis in the education sector and seek consensus as to the urgency of developing strategies for regions of education in Africa.”

The keynote speaker, Olubayi Olubayi, decried the pitiable state of the education system while detailing the reforms needed in the system.

Olubayi noted that for a functional education system in Africa, every stakeholder must take responsibility.

“For Africa to move forward in its quest for functional education, we must take responsibility for doing what others have done and not necessarily what they tell us to do.

“In thinking about education and leadership, as much as it is important to educate all children, we must recognise the existence and peculiarity of special/talented children and create adequate provisions for them to thrive,” he advised.

On her part, the Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr Joan Osa-Oviawe, outlined the many reforms for the state education sector as envisioned by Governor Godwin Obaseki and how these reforms have earned Edo a place on the list of accelerator countries despite being just a state.

Osa-Oviawe, however, lamented the unfavourable indexes hovering over the nation’s education system while highlighting the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST2.0) as one that has yielded bountiful gains in the state.

Previously, former President Goodluck Jonathan expressed his gratitude to Governor Obaseki for the privilege of hosting the Annual Democracy Dialogue of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Edo State

Jonathan also applauded Governor Obaseki’s visionary approach to education, aiming to establish Edo State as a model for others to follow, and commended the governor’s dedication to driving meaningful reforms.

He encouraged Governor Obaseki to extend his visionary leadership beyond the state’s borders.