Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
The Permanent Secretary for Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor Fanuel Tagwira, has urged SADC member states to increase investment in education, science and innovation to drive sustainable economic growth.
Speaking at the SADC Joint Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Education and Training, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof Tagwira emphasised the need for urgency in aligning skills development with labour market needs.
“We need to invest in education and innovation – that is, increase investment in education, science, technology and innovation to drive economic growth and development,” he said.
Prof Tagwira called for the adoption of the revised TVET Strategic Framework 2024-2030, endorsement of the SADC Qualification Framework, and implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Guidelines.
“As senior officials, we are the architects of implementation. The time for action is now,” Prof Tagwira said.
He praised development partners, including the ILO, African Development Bank, Gates Foundation, UNICEF, UNESCO and MEAD Africa, and reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to regional education transformation.
“Let us build a SADC where no skill is wasted, no innovation is siloed and no learner is left behind,” Prof Tagwira said.
The meeting focused on strengthening regional cooperation in education and innovation under the theme: “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustained Economic Growth and Development Towards an Industrialised SADC.”
