BuaNews (Tshwane)
4 July 2008
Lusaka — Zambian Vice-President Rupiah Banda has urged the Southern African Development Community (SADC) member countries to invest in education and develop other innovative capacities to enhance economic development in the region.
Mr Banda said SADC member countries should strive to invest in the region's education sector as it is not only a fundamental human right but one of the most decisive factors of contributing to all forms of economic development.
Opening the 2008 meeting of SADC Ministers Responsible for Education and Training on Thursday, he said there was a need for SADC members to recognise and regard education as one of the most essential goals for attaining economic development in the region.
He added that education could have a positive impact on social mobility, employment creation and poverty reduction.
Mr Banda raised concern about the decline in education standards in the region despite the great commitments by member states to expand education and training.
The region still faces major challenges that constrain the contribution of the education and training sector to national and regional socio-economic development, he added.
The Vice-President said although the region had made substantial progress in the provision of free, compulsory education with net enrolment ratios ranging between 70 and 98 percent, and gender parity index, the survival to Grade 5 and completion rates at the end of the primary cycle was low in a number of member states.
Mr Banda urged member states to take the development of education and training in the region as a cognisance of global trends.
Earlier, SADC Chairman for Education and Training Professor Lungwangwa urged member states to reflect on the progress made in meeting the education for all and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
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I agree with a few reservations, the one nonegotiable is they must be taught the truth and nothing but the absolute truth,not used to further the aims of the ruling party,as is the norm.