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 FORUM
SOUS-REGIONAL EPT
UNESCO- Dakar (Sénégal), 27 - 30 mars 2002
Remarks
by the representative of the EFA coordinators for Africa, given
by Thomas Machingaidze,
Sub-Regional
Co-ordinator for Southern Africa on behalf of Mr. Dupigny, President
of the Sub-Regional Co-ordinators
At
the historic Jomtien Conference in Thailand in 1990, our leaders
in the field of education committed themselves to the noble goal
of achieving basic education for all by the year 2000. The year
2000 came, and an assessment was carried out by each of the participating
countries to determine the extent to which they had achieved the
education for all goals. The conference was held in this beautiful
city of Dakar.
It was apparent from this assessment, ladies and gentlemen, that
the majority of countries had made little or no progress towards
achieving the basic education for all goals. This unfavourable situation
prompted the participating countries to emerge from the conference
with what is now referred to as the Dakar 2000 framework for action.
Among the provisions of this framework was that each country should
come up with a national action plan by the end of the year 2002
to indicate how it was going to achieve the EFA goals by the year
2015.
We are therefore gathered here today, as representatives of our
various countries, to view the progress we have made in coming up
with these plans. Ladies and gentlemen, the position of national
co-ordinator that has been bestowed upon us by our respective countries
is a clear recognition of our skills, knowledge and attitudes in
diagnosing the educational systems of our countries. Let us all
work with resolve in this position so as not to fail our countries
in delivering the goods. Our nations and the international community
are looking up to us to produce credible, implementable and realistic
plans which will win the recognition of our cooperating partners
for funding.
As
national EFA Coordinators, it is important for us to leave this
place with possible answers to the questions we have always asked
ourselves at home about the National Action Plans. Let us utilise
the opportunity accorded to us to share ideas remembering that everything
we are doing here will ultimately benefit the children and thousands
of illiterate adults back home.
Many
years from now, each one of us will reflect on this experience and
have the pride to say "I was part of this experience and process".
With
these remarks, I wish you fruitful deliberations.
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