Prioritising education in South Africa

South Africa’s Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, recently attended the annual African Union summit as part of the national delegation. In an exclusive interview with CNBC Africa’s Fifi Peters, Minister Motshekga shed light on the importance of prioritizing education in Africa and the collaborative efforts among African countries to improve the quality of education systems across the continent. The theme of the summit focused on ensuring that African children are well-educated and equipped with the necessary skills to meet the demands of the current workplace environment. Minister Motshekga emphasized the need for African nations to capitalize on their young populations and abundant resources by providing quality education to the youth. She highlighted the significance of sharing experiences and resources among countries to enhance educational outcomes. Minister Motshekga acknowledged the challenges facing South Africa's education system but emphasized the country's commitment to learning from other nations and contributing to the continent's educational development. The minister stressed the importance of adequate funding, appropriate policies, and skills development to ensure that education remains a top priority across the continent. She mentioned the importance of engaging the private sector in supporting education initiatives and emphasized the need for a multi-sectoral approach to improving educational outcomes. Minister Motshekga also addressed the impact of technology and artificial intelligence on education, emphasizing the need to focus on foundational skills while leveraging ICT to enhance learning opportunities. The minister encouraged a collective effort from all stakeholders, including parents, learners, educators, and the private sector, to support and improve the quality of education in Africa.