WHITE RIVER – Three days before the country’s day of liberation, Mpumalanga hosted the Provincial G20 Education indaba in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Higher Education and Training.
This took place at Anew Resort last Thursday morning graced by Basic Education Deputy Minister, Dr Reginah Mhaule and Premier, Mandla Ndlovu, among other delegates and stakeholders.
The gathering was part of a number of different initiatives leading to the actual G20 Summit in November this year.
Premier Ndlovu said this should lay a solid foundation for what is to come in the province, stating that the purpose of the Indaba is to discuss pertinent issues.
“This gathering serves as an inclusive forum where diverse stakeholders, government officials, educators, community leaders converge to deliberate on and address pressing educational challenges,” he said.
The country’s three priorities to be focused on include Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment and Inequality, Food Security and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Innovation for Sustainable Development.
Dr Mhaule emphasised the importance of solidarity within the education sector.
“Education is more than transmission of knowledge, but a force of unity that binds communities and nations. The strength of our education system is measured by the ability of working together, sharing expertise and lifting each other up as educators, learners and learning institutions.”
As part of the G20 Education Working Group (EDWG), the Indaba also explored themes including:
• The pivotal role of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) in strengthening foundational learning;
• The pivotal role of in strengthening foundational learning;
• The development and implementation of innovative, sustainable parenting support programmes;
• Cutting-edge insights and best practices for integrating 21st-century skills into teacher education; and
• Empowering educators through continuous professional development and upskilling initiatives.
The 2025 G20 Summit will be held in Johannesburg from November 22 to 23 under the theme:”Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.”
