By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Minister of Education and Training of Eswatini, Owen Nxumalo, has asserted that the Kingdom of Eswatini wants to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, which are a key focus in Eswatini.
Nxumalo said this when he delivered his impactful speech at the II International Forum of Ministers of Education, themed “Shaping the Future,” which took place on June 10-11.
The forum brought together representatives from 46 delegations across 39 countries, including several African nations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin inaugurated the forum with a message emphasizing Russia’s commitment to making education both accessible and technologically advanced.
President Putin’s message highlighted Russia’s advocacy for the right to education for all, promoting the idea within various international integration frameworks such as BRICS and the CIS.
He highlighted the importance of creating conditions that allow the younger generation to maximize their potential and talents, reinforcing the forum’s theme of “Shaping the Future.”
Minister Owen Nxumalo, in his remarks, congratulated the Russian Federation for the successful organization of the forum.
“It is heartening to witness the culmination of fruitful discussions and the exchange of invaluable recommendations that emerged from the inaugural forum in 2023.
I am confident that this second forum will build upon the solid foundation laid in the previous year, setting the stage for even greater collaboration and progress in shaping the future of education on a global scale,” Nxumalo stated.
Nxumalo emphasized the Kingdom of Eswatini’s recognition of the critical role such forums play in transforming education systems and economies.
He pointed out that the forum provides a pivotal platform for countries to engage in meaningful dialogue, share best practices, and outline areas of cooperation and partnership.
This collaboration aims to address key issues in education, share innovative solutions, and drive positive transformation in respective education systems.
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Highlighting Eswatini’s strides in education, Nxumalo shared how the country has embraced e-learning, which gained momentum during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are actively digitizing our curriculum to create an interactive learning environment that harnesses the power of technology to enhance the educational experience for our students,” he said.
Nxumalo also spoke about Eswatini’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), evidenced by the Education Sector Strategic Plan 2022/34.
This plan, aligned with the Transforming Education Commitment presented by His Majesty King Mswati III at the United Nations General Assembly in 2021, focuses on improving foundational learning and skills development.
He noted that the government is funding Grade 0 education and integrating ICT into the educational framework, emphasizing the importance of early learning.
The Minister highlighted the promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, which is a key focus in Eswatini.
“We have developed a STEM policy and are piloting STEM teaching using ICT in public schools, with plans to roll it out nationwide,” Nxumalo explained.
He mentioned the establishment of annual STEM expos, Science, and ICT fairs to nurture interest and proficiency in these critical fields among students.
Nxumalo addressed the high youth unemployment rate of approximately 58%, emphasizing the importance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
“We are reskilling and upskilling our students, empowering them to harness the potential of artificial intelligence and innovation to increase their employability and efficiency,” he said,
adding that AI not only produces quality output but also allows individuals to engage in other economic activities, boosting productivity and turnover.
However, Nxumalo acknowledged the challenges in Eswatini’s education landscape, such as inadequate financing, rural-urban disparities, poverty, and lack of quality infrastructure.
He stressed the need for international cooperation and collaboration to transform education systems and produce 21st-century graduates.
Moreover, the Minister expressed optimism about the forum’s potential to drive positive change in education systems worldwide.
“Through our collective efforts and partnerships forged at this forum, we can shape a future where education serves as an equalizer, a powerful catalyst for progress and prosperity,” he said.
“For our countries to achieve high levels of economic growth and address social challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and inequality,
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we must work together to invest in relevant education, training, and skills to achieve our vision of a skilled and capable workforce to support an inclusive growth trajectory.”
In addition, in his message, President Putin emphasized that in Russia all children have equal access to free education, and the country is proud of the “brilliant victories” of schoolchildren and students at international Olympiads,
as well as the high quality of university education, which is confirmed by the “worthy positions” of universities in world rankings and the demand for Russian education from foreigners.
Africa is represented at the forum by delegates from a wide range of countries, namely Chad, the Central African Republic, Niger, Eswatini, South Africa, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Djibouti, South Sudan, Benin, and others. Among the participants are ministers of education from African countries.
The forum was organized by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, the My History Foundation, and the Republic of Tatarstan.
