UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

05/16/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/16/2024 09:58

UNESCO launches the third phase of the Better Education for Africa’s Rise Project

To kick off the project, a two-day regional launch event was held in Abuja, Nigeria, from 17-18 April 2024. The event brought together Education Ministers, government representatives, stakeholders, and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) experts to discuss the experiences and outcomes of the previous phase (BEAR II) and to establish the expected results for BEAR III. The discussions focused on the relevance, quality, and attractiveness of TVET in the participating countries. The event provided an opportunity for the previous phase's beneficiary countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, United Republic of Tanzania, and Uganda) to share their best practices and lessons learned, while offering important insights to the new beneficiary countries (Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone) to ensure the success of the BEAR III project.

According to the UNESCO Strategy for TVET (2022-2029), there are still 267 million young people aged 15-24 worldwide who are not engaged in education, employment, or training. Additionally, 1.25 billion workers globally are at risk of job loss or displacement. These statistics highlight the urgent need to address the skills gap and create opportunities for young people to thrive in the labour market.

Helping Africa bridge the skills gap

During the opening remarks, Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo, the Head of Office at UNESCO Abuja and Representative of UNESCO to Nigeria, emphasized the scarcity of labour in various economic sectors due to an aging population and the significant deficiency in highly trained personnel. He highlighted the potential of Africa to bridge the skills gap and underscored the relevance of the BEAR III project, particularly in the context of the African Union's focus on education in 2024.

Ms. Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education at UNESCO, emphasized the importance of TVET as a fundamental component of lifelong learning. She stressed that TVET plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between education and employment, promoting economic development, fostering social inclusion, and equipping individuals with the necessary skills for the evolving job market.

Dr. Kazadi Mulombo Walter, the United Nations Nigeria Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, expressed his satisfaction with the strong collaboration among governments, experts, donors, and stakeholders at the regional launch of the BEAR III project. He highlighted the project's alignment with the Member States' strategy and its potential to provide young people in sub-Saharan African countries with improved access to decent employment and self-employment, thereby contributing to the socio-economic growth of the participating countries.

The Korean Government, represented by Mr. Kihyung Kim, Deputy Director of Global Education Policy Division, highlighted the success of the previous phases of the BEAR project (BEAR I and BEAR II) and their transition from being a recipient to a major donor. The Korean Government expressed its commitment to enlarging the scale of Official Development Aid projects and its willingness to share the Republic of Korea's experiences with other countries. The Ministry of Education in the Republic of Korea remains dedicated to supporting the BEAR III project.

Professor Tahir Mamman, the Nigerian Minister of Education, commended the Republic of Korea for its timely support, which aligns with the priorities of the Nigerian government. He assured close collaboration with UNESCO in the project's implementation in Nigeria. Professor Mamman emphasized that TVET is a priority for the Nigerian government, and efforts are being made to enhance the education system's skill development at both formal and informal levels.

Moving towards the implementation phase

On the second day, the regional launch event included a study visit to high-performing TVET centres in Abuja, providing participants with practical insights into successful TVET implementation. Following the official launch, the BEAR III project will move into the implementation phase, where all planned activities will be carried out in the beneficiary countries.

The BEAR III project was inaugurated as part of the African Union's Year of Education, building on the momentum generated by the Transforming Education Summit (TES) and supporting the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (2016-2025). The implementation of the African Union Year of Education 2024 will involve concrete and impactful activities and initiatives on TVET, with BEAR III serving as an exemplar.

The launch of the BEAR III Project marks a milestone in enhancing education and employment prospects for West African youth. Through collaborative efforts between UNESCO and the Republic of Korea, the project will continue its efforts focusing on skill development and socio-economic progress, empowering youth and fostering regional growth.