EDITORIAL: Harmonise education systems in East Africa

Article 5 in the treaty for the establishment of the East African Community states that in order to promote the achievements of the community objectives, partner states must undertake to foster cooperation in education and training.

The harmonisation of the EAC education systems and training curricula process started in 1998. The bloc’s secretariat has since been undertaking  comparative studies in the partner states aimed at harmonising national goals and philosophies of education, curriculum content, structures, policies and legal frameworks.

What remains now is for implementation, which will entail the endorsement of political leaders who, at the end of the day, have the final word. That is what the EAC (Educational) Bill seeks to facilitate, which will presuppose the setting up of a unit within the EAC secretariat to coordinate the integration of education activities in the partner states. We believe that having a harmonised educational content and delivery system is inevitable if East Africans are to achieve genuine regional integration. It is just a matter of time before all partner states open doors to job seekers from all partner states without the need for the cumbersome work permit.

There is concern that unless the region moves faster in harmonising education systems, there will be problems. We might end up with graduates in one country holding certificates that will be disregarded in other states within the bloc. That, of course, would lead to discontent, which could jeopardise and even break up our unity.

As we wait for politicians to pass one Bill or another, we need to gradually put in place simple modalities to facilitate sharing of expertise within EAC.

Why don’t we have, for instance, hordes of Kiswahili teachers from Tanzania filling schools in Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda? Kenya and Uganda should send English teachers to Rwanda and Burundi as these latter two provide partner states with teachers of French.