Experts gather in Kenya to harmonize education standards in Africa

NAIROBI, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) — Education experts are meeting in Kenya starting Tuesday to promote the harmonization of learning standards in Africa in a bid to facilitate transnational mobility of workers.
Running from Tuesday to Friday, the third African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF) Forum was organized in collaboration with the African Union and regional economic blocs, bringing together over 100 participants from across the continent to improve mutual recognition of educational qualifications.
Director-General of the Kenya National Qualifications Authority Alice Kande said that Africa is characterized by a wide diversity of education and qualification systems that makes comparability a difficult task.
“A single continental educational standard will ensure mobility of learners and workers across Africa,” Kande said, noting that unified educational standards will lead to enhanced matching of supply and demand for skills in Africa.
The official also revealed that mutual recognition of educational standards is expected to make labor markets more efficient and help the continent tackle its high unemployment rates.
Eduarda Castel-Branco, coordinator of ACQF, said that a common Africa qualifications framework is expected to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area through facilitating free movement of labor and other services.
She urged the continent to pursue the implementation of a common education area to enhance the global competitiveness of Africa’s higher education institutions. ■