By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Harare — Minister of Skills Audit and Development,Hon Prof P. Mavima, has called for immediate and decisive action to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy across the SADC region during the closing remarks of the High-Level Ministerial Round Table Dialogue held yesterday at the Harare International Conference Centre.
Addressing regional education leaders and stakeholders, he emphasized that the time to act is now to ensure every child is equipped with crucial skills that underpin regional growth and social development.
“Our dialogue has reaffirmed that foundational literacy and numeracy are not just educational imperatives they are catalysts for poverty reduction, gender equality, and regional prosperity,” he stated.
Minister Mavima stressed that the discussions held must now translate into concrete actions. He called upon all stakeholders to prioritize aligning national strategies with the SADC Protocol on Education and Training to ensure coherence and mutual accountability.
He emphasized the importance of investing in teachers through scaled-up professional development and addressing disparities between rural and urban areas. Recognizing the significance of data, he urged strengthening monitoring frameworks to better track learning outcomes, especially among marginalized groups.
He also highlighted the potential of public-private partnerships to mobilize resources and technology, aiming to bridge infrastructural gaps that hinder progress.
Expressing appreciation for the leadership of the SADC Secretariat and gratitude to all ministers and delegates for their candid contributions, Minister Mavima urged the region to depart with renewed energy and commitment.
“Let us implement the commitments made today and hold each other accountable through the SADC mechanisms,” he said.
Before concluding, he reminded the gathering of the true purpose of their efforts: transforming classrooms, empowering teachers, and uplifting the futures of children across the region.
“The true measure of this dialogue’s success will be the classrooms transformed, the teachers empowered, and the children whose futures we uplift. The time for action is now,” he declared.