Claire O'Connell, the programme director says, "Over the past seven years African Education Week has established itself as the leading content-rich platform that unites cross-sections of participants from all education sectors, as well as representatives of government and business."
She continues, "Education is serious business right now, not only in South Africa but throughout sub-Saharan Africa with governments and the private sector recognising that there can be no further delay in getting the education system on track to provide the skilled workforce desperately needed to drive economic growth. Today African governments are making strategic decisions on how they will respond to the demands of 77 million new students."
According to O'Connell, "public spending on education in sub-Saharan Africa has increased by more than 6% per year in the past decade. South Africa alone spent R207 billion on education in 2012, which is set to increase in the next fiscal year to R236 billion. African Education Week offers a credible and tried-and-tested platform for the sector where the decision makers meet up with the best service providers who have the latest technologies and solutions on offer."
The African Education Week conference committee boasts well-known independent experts who are not afraid to tell it like it is, including Graeme Bloch and Eugene Daniels, Education Connector, Citizens Movement for Change as well as professor Kuzvinetsa Dzvimbo, executive dean at UNISA's College of Education and Technology and education expert Kobus van Wyk, head of e-Learning at Mustek.
"This has always been an event by the industry for the industry", says O'Connell. "The sector benefits from a truly interactive event, where time is given to debate the real issues effecting education and then followed up on the exhibition floor with demonstrations and a hands-on experience."
Bloch has been a regular face at the event since the start and this year is chairing several sessions again. Says Bloch, "African Education Week again confronts the issues of problems in our education system, widely agreed, and the need to find solutions. African Education Week does not leave us lamenting but helps us to do what has to be done. A great platform for us all."
More than 4 000 learners attended the first Career Indaba last year. The expo aims to bridge the gap for students between studying and entering the world of work, by bringing together Grade 9-12, college and university students, with educational institutions and the business world to provide information on how subject choice effects career paths, career guidance, skill development, available study options, bursaries and employment opportunities for graduates.
Learners visiting the Career Indaba can enrol for free career-focused workshops, strengths and aptitude tests, win prizes and much more.
For more, go to www.educationweek.co.za and www.careerindaba.co.za
