Call for urgent education reforms to drive industrialisation

Ivan Zhakata

Herald Correspondent

MINISTERS responsible for education, science and technology across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have called for urgent reforms to accelerate industrialisation and sustainable development across the region.

The high-level joint meeting of SADC Ministers responsible for Education, Training, Science and Technology and Innovation, chaired by Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Frederick Shava, underscored education as the cornerstone for national and regional progress.

It ran under the theme, “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustained Economic Growth and Development Towards an Industrialised SADC”.

“A country’s development hinges on the strength of its education system,” Minister Shava said. “We must broaden access to quality education, especially in STEM and digital literacy, foster innovation and entrepreneurship and harness science and technology to address critical challenges like climate change, food security and healthcare.”

Minister Shava said Zimbabwe’s Education 5.0 model was designed to cultivate graduates who create jobs rather than merely seek them. “We support the establishment of the SADC University of Transformation to bridge the gap between academia and industry,” he said.

SADC deputy executive secretary for Regional Integration, Mrs Angele Makombo Ntumba, reaffirmed education and innovation as foundational pillars in the SADC Vision 2050 and Industrialisation Strategy.

“This meeting is crucial to aligning policies and frameworks that will forge a competitive, inclusive and industrialised region,” she said, highlighting initiatives such as the University-Industry Co-Create Project to embed innovation in higher education.

UNESCO assistant director-general for Natural Sciences, Professor Lidia Brito, detailed the ongoing partnership between UNESCO and SADC and said education plays a key role in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 and Africa’s Agenda 2063. “Education must be inclusive, forward-looking and resilient. Our SADC-ICT Competence Framework equips teachers with vital digital and pedagogical skills for 21st-century classrooms,” Prof Brito said.

She also said it was important to ensure the well-being of learners. “Quality education requires healthy, safe and inclusive schools,” Prof Brito said.

“To support this, UNESCO and WHO are conducting evidence-based surveys on adolescent health to inform policy. Our ‘Our Right, Our Life, Our Future’ programme has reached over 23 million learners, addressing school dropouts, early pregnancy, gender-based violence and HIV.”

Prof Brito also highlighted the strategic role of science for peace and development.

“Science empowers societies to prevent conflict and foster sustainable development. Namibia, Botswana and South Africa’s cooperation in groundwater management earned the UNESCO Peace Award, exemplifying how science drives regional stability.”

UNICEF deputy regional director Ms Alison Parker said there was a persistent learning crisis in Southern Africa.

“Eight out of 10 children cannot read a simple text or solve basic maths problems,” she said. “This crisis, exacerbated by Covid-19 and limited resources, demands urgent investment in foundational learning.” Ms Parker urged political leaders to prioritise early education reforms.

“Improving foundational skills is achievable but requires strong leadership, targeted funding and scaling effective teaching methods like structured pedagogy.”

Dr Martha Phiri of the African Development Bank said industrialisation was critical in the regional bloc.

“Industrialisation is not just aspirational; it is essential for survival in future crises. The Bank has invested over US$2,1 billion in STEM infrastructure and US$6,8 billion in youth entrepreneurship programmes that have created 15 million jobs continent-wide.”

She also urged integrated investment approaches linking infrastructure with skills development.

“When funding energy or transport projects, we assess how many youth-led enterprises and jobs will result. Skills and infrastructure must advance hand in hand,” she said.

Dr Ben Piper from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation praised SADC’s leadership on foundational learning. “SADC ministers have championed this agenda globally,” he said.

“Now, bold leadership, effective tools and strong partnerships are needed to translate commitments into measurable progress.” Ms Elizabeth Colucci, Director of Education Policy for OBREAL, announced new capacity-building initiatives. “This year, we will help regional authorities and universities develop robust data systems to monitor educational progress aligned with continental strategies like SEISA,” she said. “Our commitment extends beyond funding to fostering South-South collaboration and interregional partnerships.”

The ministers closed the meeting with renewed determination to reform education systems, invest decisively in science and technology and strengthen regional cooperation, key steps to unlocking Southern Africa’s industrial and innovation potential.

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