The 21st Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) took place in Nairobi, Kenya, from 27–28 April 2022. Hosted by the Government of Kenya in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat and Kenya’s Ministry of Education, the high-level two-day conference brought together Commonwealth education ministers, senior government officials, educators and teachers, development partners, civil society, and policymakers to address key education priorities within the Commonwealth towards the 2030 Agenda.
This meeting took place at a time when the world is recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on education systems around the world. And with only eight years left to meet the goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, the timing for this meeting was crucial.
Building on existing commitments and outcomes from the 2018 CCEM in Fiji and the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London, the meeting focused on the theme: ‘Rethinking Education for Innovation, Growth and Sustainability post-Covid-19’.
Ministers and education partners had the opportunity to share knowledge and good practices, explore trends and innovative approaches that can be adapted by member countries to develop sustainable and resilient education systems and identified areas of action.
Education ministers issued a joint statement in which they recognised the urgent need to increase investment in education and skills at all ages, with particular focus on ensuring foundational skills for all. Ministers also recognised the urgent issues raised in the Kenyatta Call to Action on Education Finance in 2021 and agreed to look for suitable opportunities to consider the financing of education and welcomed initiatives that support the capacity building of ministries of education on financing of education. With regard to charting the way forward in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, ministers committed to building resilient education systems that can withstand future threats and disruptions and sought to improve access to digital connectivity and skills to support teaching and learning. Ministers resolved to build back better and with resilience for fair, inclusive economic recovery, and a sustainable future in the Commonwealth.
Ministers also acknowledged the Commonwealth of Learning’s focus on promoting learning for sustainable development through the use of technologies and noted the report and good work in support of distance education and learning, especially during COVID-19 pandemic.
In her concluding remarks, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt. Hon Patricia Scotland QC, said:
“Over the last two days, we have discussed important issues such as financing education, Covid-19 mitigation and recovery strategies, education and employability, redefining learning spaces and education for sustainability and peace… Education, we know, lays the foundation for personal and social development, responsible action and good citizenship. It is a human right and the best guarantee against unemployment and poverty. But for our communities and societies to reap these benefits, we need high-quality and inclusive education systems throughout the Commonwealth. Let us build, reinforce, and sustain our partnerships to deliver the targets and SDGs.”
Declaring the conference officially closed, the new Chairman of the Education Ministers Action Group (EMAG) and Kenya’s Minister of Education, Hon. Prof. George Magoha, said:
“It is my earnest hope that our discussions in the last two days and the direction provided in the Declaration emanating from this meeting will accelerate momentum towards the achievement of the Education 2030 commitments.”
Over 200 international delegates from 40 Commonwealth countries, and over 200 participants from Kenya, attended the conference, which was convened in a hybrid format for the first time with some ministers and delegates attending the in-person event in Nairobi, while the rest joined virtually. The meeting also marked the first time the Commonwealth education family came together in Nairobi since 1987 when it hosted the 10th Commonwealth Conference of Education Ministers on the theme of ‘vocational orientation of education’.
The conference also included the announcement of the 2022 Commonwealth Education Awards’ finalists. The Awards recognise and celebrate innovative, inspiring and good practices in education and learning that are replicable in different Commonwealth contexts.
Policy proposals arising from the ministerial statement that was issued are intended to inform discussions at the next Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting (CHOGM), scheduled to take place in June 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda.
The next CCEM will take place in three years’ time in 2025.