Zambia and other Southern African countries have been urged to harmonise their education systems to enhance the quality of education in the region.
Southern African Quality Assurance Network (SAQAN) President, Dr Sylvia Demas, stressed the need for resolving disparities between education systems across the region.
Speaking at the 6th SAQAN Conference in Livingstone on Wednesday, Demas stressed the importance of sharing best practices to promote regional integration in education.
Higher Education Authority of Zambia Director General, Professor Kazhila Chinsembu, highlighted that the quality of higher education in Southern Africa would remain questionable unless efforts were made to decolonise the curriculum.
“There is a need for an Afrocentric approach and a post-colonial mindset in teaching and learning to transform university curricula,” Chinsembu stated.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by Ministry Director for Universities Amos Mumba, Education Minister Douglas Syakalima, noted that Zambia had become a regional hub for education, attracting thousands of foreign students.
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“Zambia has enrolled a significant number of students from Southern African countries pursuing tertiary education in various universities across the country,” Syakalima said.
He attributed the influx of students to Zambia’s proximity, with the country being just two hours away from most of its neighbours.
Syakalima also noted that in response to the growing demand for higher education, the Zambian government had opened the sector to private investment.
“The New Dawn Government, under President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership, recognises the critical role of education in promoting national development,” Syakalima added.
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