The African Union Heads of State and Government during their Twenty-Sixth Ordinary Session on 31 January 2016 in Addis Ababa adopted the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2016-2025) as the framework for transformative education and training system in Africa; in relation with objective 4 of the sustainable development goals. They immediately called upon the Member States, RECs, Partners, Private Sector, and NEPAD to popularize and raise awareness on CESA 2016-2025 and develop implementation plans, and mobilize domestic resources for its implementation; and to collaborate with the Commission towards the implementation of the CESA.

In the bid to “create” a new African citizen who will  be  an  effective  change  agent  for  the  continent’s  sustainable  development  as  envisioned by  the  AU  and  its  2063  Agenda,  the  African  Union  Commission  has  developed  this  strategy driven  by  the  desire  to  set  up  a  “qualitative  system  of  education  and training  to  provide  the  African  continent  with  efficient  human  resources  adapted  to  African core values and therefore capable to achieve the vision and ambitions of the African Union.” Those responsible for its implementation will be assigned to “reorient Africa’s education and training  systems  to  meet  the  knowledge,  competencies,  skills,  innovation  and  creativity required to nurture African core values and promote sustainable development at the national, sub-regional and continental levels.”

The adoption of the strategy, although significant has no meaning if steps are not taken to implement it. The Heads of State and Government in their decision have also requested the Commission in collaboration with UNESCO to coordinate educational partnership and support for the implementation of the process of harmonization of education in Africa. They have further requested the Member States and partners to promote alignment of TVET Skills Portability initiatives with on-going work on harmonization and quality assurance in higher education.

The implementation of CESA will be guided by six principles and seven pillars. They will all be instrumental to the Continental Strategy in pursing the following twelve Strategic Objectives:

Revitalize the teaching profession to ensure quality and relevance at all levels of education
Build,  rehabilitate  and  support  education  infrastructure  and  develop  policies  that ensure a permanent stress free and conducive learning environment for all, so as  to expand  access  to  quality  education  at  all  levels  including  informal  and  non-formal settings
Harness the capacity of ICT to improve access, quality and management of education and training systems
Ensure  acquisition  of  requisite  knowledge  and  skills  as  well  as  improved  completion rates  at  all  levels  and  groups  through  harmonization  processes  across  all  levels  for national and regional integration
Accelerate processes leading to gender parity and equity
Launch comprehensive and effective literacy programmes across the continent to eradicate the scourge of illiteracy 
Strengthen the science and math curricula in youth training and disseminate scientific knowledge and culture in society
Expand  TVET  opportunities  at  both  secondary  and  tertiary  levels  and  strengthen linkages between the world of work and education and training systems
Revitalize and expand tertiary education, research and innovation to address continental challenges and promote global competitiveness 
Promote  peace  education  and  conflict  prevention  and  resolution  at  all  levels  of education and for all age groups
Improve management of education system as well build and enhance capacity for data collection, management, analysis, communication, and use
Set up a coalition of stakeholders to facilitate and support activities resulting from the implementation of CESA 16-25. 

Dr Martial de Paul Ikounga, Commissioner for Human resources Science and Technology expressed the strong wish of a successful implementation of the CESA.