By: Martin Endjala
President Nangolo Mbumba on the commemoration of Africa Day said that the continent must develop an educated workforce with the necessary skills and knowledge, for emerging opportunities in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), to address challenges faced by the continent.
Mbumba said this in a statement in commemoration of the Africa Day, which is remembered each year on 25 May.
This year’s commemoration is under the theme ‘Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa’.
“The world is changing at an unprecedented pace and Africa cannot afford to be left behind. The 4IR is transforming industries and economies, creating new opportunities but also new challenges,” said Mbumba.
The President emphasised that Africa’s focus must be on building resilient and dynamic education systems that can adapt to the changing world and provide inclusive, lifelong learning opportunities for all.
By investing in infrastructure such as classrooms, laboratories, libraries and digital resources, as well as teacher training and professional development.
While also ensuring that quality education is accessible to all, regardless of gender, socio-economic status, or geographic location.
He highlighted that Namibia, like many African countries, is working towards building a resilient education system that offers inclusive, lifelong learning opportunities for all citizens.
He believes Namibia has made progress in expanding education access, particularly for marginalised groups, reducing dropout rates, and enhancing literacy and numeracy outcomes.
Despite challenges and disparities, Mbumba said the focus remains on developing quality education programmes to equip learners with essential skills for success in the 21st century.
He urged people from all over Africa to take advantage of 2024 Africa Day to reaffirm their commitment to nurturing a new generation of Africans that is ready for the challenges of the 21st century.
“Africa Day holds immense significance in our collective history. It is a day when we come together to celebrate our diverse cultures, acknowledge our achievements, and reaffirm our commitment to addressing the pressing issues facing our continent,” said the President.
