Giving opening remarks during the official opening ceremony Deputy EAC Secretary General Hon. Arrik Aguer Malueth akcnowledged the active participation of the Government of Kenya for being a dependable member of the East Africa Region particularly for advancing the regional education agenda.

Education and skills development remain central to East African integration, noting that the EAC Treaty provides for cooperation in education and training” said Hon Arrik

The Deputy EAC Secretary General added that “The EAC has long recognised education and skills development as essential to regional integration,”

During the conference opening session  high level presentations were presented where it showed that the Community has established several regional frameworks aimed at harmonising education systems and strengthening skills development. At the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) level, the EAC TVET Qualifications Framework has been developed and is awaiting approval.

Giving the official statment the Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for East Africa Comminity affairs and also the Chair of East Africa Community Council of Ministers Hon. Beatrice Askul Moe said East Africa does not lack policy ambition, but needs clear implementation pathways, institutional ownership and measurable outcomes to ensure that regional commitments result in actual change.

“Regional mobility was also identified as a priority, with the EAC seeking to make it easier for qualifications, skills, knowledge and talent to move across Partner States”Said CS Askul

The Cabinet Secretary added that this second Eastern Africa Education Regional Conference is taking place amid persistent education challenges, including unequal access, learning gaps, teacher shortages, resource constraints and weak transitions between education levels.

“The region is also grappling with skills mismatches and limited links between TVET institutions and industry, at a time when a rapidly growing youth population is increasing demand for employment, entrepreneurship and relevant skills” said CS Askul Moe

The Nairobi Regional Education conference builds on the inaugural EAC Regional Education Conference held in Arusha, Tanzania, in August 2024.