NAIROBI (CU)_The Education Ministers from across the Commonwealth participated in the 21st Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) in Nairobi, Kenya, this week. The two-day conference, focused on the theme ‘Rethinking Education for Innovation, Growth and Sustainability post-Covid-19’, was hosted by the government of Kenya, in collaboration with the country’s Ministry of Education and the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.
During the Conference, the delegated issued a joint statement recognising the urgent need to increase investment in education and skills at all ages. They agreed to seek suitable opportunities to consider the financing of education and welcomed initiatives aimed at financing of education and supporting capacity building of ministries of education.
The Conference provided the ministers, policymakers, civil society and other attendees and opportunities to explore innovative approaches that would enable member states to develop sustainable and resilient education systems. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education was also a subject of discussion, as the ministers committed to building resilient education systems that can withstand such threats and disruptions in the future.
“Over the last two days, we have discussed important issues such as financing education, COVID-19 mitigation and recovery strategies, education and employability, redefining learning spaces and education for sustainability and peace. I gladly received your ministerial statement and look forward to working with Kenya to implement these new ideas and recommendations for the next three years,” Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, said. “Education, we know, lays the foundation for personal and social development, responsible action and good citizenship. It is a human right and the best guarantee against unemployment and poverty. But for our communities and societies to reap these benefits, we need high-quality and inclusive education systems throughout the Commonwealth.”
For her part, Kenya’s Minister of Education, Prof. George Magoha, underscored the significance of the Conference in forging a common way forward towards improving education across the Commonwealth. “As was well elaborated during the proceedings of this meeting the benefits of education at the individual and economic levels are enormous and permeate all our lives,” the Minister said. “The Conference of Commonwealth of Education Ministers provides a platform for the members of this family to review our progress, build synergies and forge a common way forward towards improving education in our countries.”
