We must provide better learning environment for children - Dr Adutwum to African countries

The Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has said there is the need for African countries to provide better learning environments for children. 

He said they must be offered 21st Century skills, adding "if we don't get African children to be the best in the world, then it is our fault".

Dr Adutwum said this at the maiden edition of Africa Skills Week (ASW) in Accra, yesterday.

The five-day programme is being attended by stakeholders in education from the African continent.

It is on the theme: “Skills and jobs for the 21st Century :Quality skills development for sustainable employability in Africa.”

Initiative

The ASW is an initiative of the African Union (AU) aimed at catalysing action towards improving systems, processes and policies to drive the transformation of skills development across the continent.

This is to enable Africans to be future-fit to adapt to the demands of the 21st Century workplace.

The AU also aims to institutionalise ASW as part of a broader effort in the implementation of its Agenda 2063 blueprint to build resilient, transformative education and skills ecosystems across Africa.

STEM education

Dr Adutwum said inasmuch as the continent was focused on technical, vocational education and training (TVET), there was also the need to pay attention to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) critically.

The innovation that comes with STEM, he said, was also part of the effort to make Africa relevant "so that we don't continue to be consumers of technology from the West".

"The intersection between TVET and STEM is what is driving transformation in Ghana. In the education space, many things are going on," the minister said, adding that the country was making progress in that sector.

“There are a number of areas where citizens must have some expertise, such as soft skills of critical thinking, creativity and innovation, communication and collaboration, emotional intelligence and other empathy issues, time management and productivity, leadership and interpretation,” he said.

Dr Adutwum further called on development partners to provide education infrastructure for children in Africa.

Collaboration

The AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Mohammed Belhocine, said it was incumbent upon businesses across Africa to strengthen their engagement in workforce development for shared prosperity.

“As we collectively strive towards closing the skills gap, we must also ensure that no one is left behind. Africa's development must be inclusive.

“We must ensure equal access to education and skills development programmes for girls, women, persons with disabilities and marginalised communities, including those in conflict and emergency contexts,” he said.

Prof. Belhocine further said that  ASW should not be about celebrations, but a call for investment in the future of the continent.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that our youth have the tools they need to shape a brighter, more prosperous tomorrow.

“As one of the duty bearers, the AU Commission is committed to supporting member states to strengthen key foundational pillars for skills development in Africa,” he added.