Maseru, June.22-Ministers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have emphasised the urgent need to enhance education systems across the region to support socio-economic growth, industrialization and regional integration.
These calls were made during the Joint Meeting of SADC Ministers Responsible for Education and Training, and Science, Technology and Innovation, held in Harare, Zimbabwe, on June 20, 2025. The Joint Committee of Ministers, a statutory SADC body, oversees the implementation of policies and programmes aimed at promoting access to quality education and training, as well as developing a skilled workforce.
The Ministers emphasised the importance of a comprehensive and coordinated approach to education and training and Science, Technology and Innovation. They underscored the importance of digital transformation, partnerships, collaboration, and the advancement of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, with a particular focus on increasing participation among women and girls.
The SADC Protocol on Education and Training serves as the principal framework for policy implementation in Education and Training, and Science, Technology and Innovation and plays a crucial role in advancing the SADC Industrialization Strategy, particularly in promoting the development of value chains within sectors such as agro-processing, mineral beneficiation and pharmaceutical manufacturing. . .
