VP urges EAC to strengthen investment in education, health
ARUSHA: VICE-PRESIDENT Dr Philip Mpango has urged East African Community (EAC) partner states to increase investment in the education and health sectors to leverage their youthful populations for economic transformation.
Dr Mpango stated that such investments would allow EAC countries to take advantage of their demographic dividend by nurturing a vibrant, productive workforce.
The EAC is home to an estimated 302.2 million citizens, with over 30 per cent residing in urban areas.
Covering a land area of 5.4 million square kilometres and boasting a combined Gross Domestic Product of 312.9 billion US dollars, its realisation holds significant strategic, geopolitical importance and promising prospects for a revitalised EAC.
“The population structure and dynamics of the bloc can be a tremendous asset. However, to fully capitalise on the demographic dividend, we must make substantial investments in the education and health of our children,” Dr Mpango emphasised during the EAC Education Conference at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) yesterday.
He highlighted that the EAC, like the rest of Africa, has a youthful population with the highest fertility rate globally, indicating a continued presence of a young and dynamic population to drive economic growth.
Dr Mpango stressed the critical importance of providing quality education and healthcare to this youthful population to unlock its potential. He asserted that a robust economy in the EAC hinges on a healthier and more skilled workforce.
Currently, funding for education in Sub-Saharan African countries, including those in the EAC, remains insufficient. This lack of funding hinders these countries’ ability to deliver quality education that addresses contemporary challenges and fosters innovation.
Dr Mpango pointed out that inadequate education in many Sub-Saharan African countries limits their capacity to tackle emerging issues stemming from the digital revolution and globalisation.
“In all our endeavours, we must recognise that the challenges in African education largely result from underinvestment, making it challenging to provide quality education,” Dr Mpango noted.
He highlighted Tanzania’s commitment to educational reforms, including mandating ten years of schooling by the 2027/2028 academic year, a significant increase from the current seven years. The reforms aim to enhance education access, improve quality and equip Tanzanian youth with essential skills.
Moreover, Tanzania has thoroughly reviewed its curriculum, incorporating digital transformation and technological advancements into education.
The government is also investing in educational infrastructure, such as classrooms and teachers’ housing, to enhance the teaching environment, increase the quality and quantity of teachers and provide necessary teaching aids like books and computers.
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Dr Mpango reaffirmed Tanzania’s dedication to contributing to the overall development of the EAC, particularly in the realm of education.
The conference, themed “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Collective Action for Quality, Inclusive, and Lifelong Learning in East Africa,” underscored the significance of collaborative efforts to advance educational outcomes in the region.
