May 30, 2024 (ENTEBBE, Uganda): The 4th Conference of Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Ministers in Charge of Education on Djibouti Declaration has adopted the Communiqué of the Qualifications Framework, today, in Entebbe, Uganda.
The Ministerial conference was presided over by Professor Umar Kakumba, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University and representative of IGAD Universities Forum, in the presence of Madam Fathia Alwan, Director for IGAD Health and Social Development, representing Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, the Executive Secretary of IGAD, including, Mr Chehem Mohamed, representative of the Minister of National Education and Vocational Training of Republic of Djibouti and chairperson of IGAD Minsters of education, as well as, representing the First lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Republic of Uganda, IGAD head of Mission to republic of Uganda at the high table.
In her opening remarks, on behalf of Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, the Executive Secretary of IGAD, Madam Fathia Alwan, Director for Health and Social Development, highlighted that the Regional Qualifications Framework, which is the key instrument for discussion and consideration at the Conference, is an essential component of IGAD’s integration agenda.
“IGAD looks forward to continued collaboration and partnerships in ensuring full and effective implementation of the Djibouti Declaration as well as other complementary regional and national policies, strategies and action plans on education’, she added.
The Director also expressed her sincere appreciation to IGAD partners for their continued financial and technical support, notably, UNHCR, UNESCO, EU, UNICEF, the German Government through GIZ, ECW, the World Bank, AfDB, and other bilateral and multilateral agencies actively involved in our educational and skills-building endeavors.
Professor Umar Kakumba, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University and representative of IGAD Universities Forum, in his opening remarks stated that the Makerere University has reduced entry requirements for refugees to study at the university and provision of the 5% Quota on enrollment for refugees and displaced persons,
Mr Chehem Mohamed, representative of the Minister of National Education and Vocational Training and chairperson of IGAD Minsters of education said that Djibouti is integrating refugee schools into the national education system, with the emphasis on vocational training.
In addition, he described the Regional Qualification Framework and the integration of refugee schools into national education systems.
On behalf of the First lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Republic of Uganda, the IGAD head of Mission to republic of Uganda said that the process of designing the Uganda Qualifications framework has already started, and we believe we will have it completed as soon as possible.
She also mentioned that the government of Uganda is committed to institutionalizing the National Qualification Framework.
“We call upon IGAD our development partners, to continue working with us in realizing this important objective”, she noted.
