STATEMENT BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE ORGANISATION OF AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC STATES ON THE OCCASION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF EDUCATION

Brussels, 24 January 2022/OACPS: On the occasion of the commemoration of the International Day of Education, on 24 January 2022, H.E. Mr. Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), welcomes this year’s theme, “Changing course, transforming education”, as an appropriate response to the global challenges, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”.

Secretary-General Chikoti acknowledges that although advances in technology, particularly digital technology, have facilitated the continuation of learning and knowledge exchange during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has also deepened exclusion, and inequalities in education, thus reversing the progress and achievements made towards the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 4.

The Secretary-General underlines that as transformative approaches in education are adapted, more should be done to fulfill the right to education for all, particularly in higher education. This is in recognition of the role of higher education to open up and develop the potential of all humans, thus promoting their well-being, solidarity, and economic and social sustainability. These aspects are sorely needed to equip and prepare OACPS youth to lead their communities.

In this regard, the OACPS Secretary-General commends the work currently being done by the European Union funded ACP Research and Innovation Programme, which aims to unlock the innovation potential for sustainable and inclusive development in Members of the OACPS. H.E. Mr. Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, therefore calls on the Members of the OACPS and the relevant development partners, to increase their investments and support for the education sector in general, including research and innovation, in order to further strengthen education systems of Members of the OACPS. Such efforts will enable countries to mitigate the learning and knowledge development challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and prepare for future pandemics and other global crises.

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