By Enock Okong’o
Teachers have been asked to be the main agents of peace and cohesion within the East African Community.
Albert Ombiro, Chief Principal of St Paul’s Gekano High School, said teachers are endowed with knowledge which can be used to positively impact the world through peace initiatives.
He said among other interactive convergences, sports play an important part in cementing regional cohesion.
The teachers prayed for the quick ending of Covid-19 to enable them continue with regional sports.
“Sports foster peace and unity among communities as they teach the youth endurance and tolerance for their colleagues from the other side of the world,” added Mr.Ombiro.
He was among 20 teachers drawn from Tanzania and Kenya who met at Sirare a fortnight ago for education bonding.
‘We met as brothers to share the common challenges we encounter and the achievements that we can make as career educators,” remarked Peter Magu of Mafa English Medium School in Tanzania.
He said that unlike in the past, English language has penetrated Tanzanian schools as one of the media of giving instructions.
He attributed the success to the free interaction of teachers and students from the two countries, with Kenya having English as an official language.
“The educators from both sides asked the East African Community member countries to enact an East African Community Education Framework.
Saying that education is one of the main social tools for the enhancement of peaceful coexistence among communities, Magu advocated for the involvement of governments to harmonize the sector for the smooth flow of trade and skilled manpower across borders.
He said that the harmonization will ensure quality and standardized education, which will in turn guarantee skilled and efficient manpower in the job market.
The teachers called for the implementation of the education recommendations that were made in Arusha in 2019.
Reviewing the recommendations, the teachers cited the East African Education Common Framework of Reference to facilitate comparability, compatibility, equity and mutual recognition of training systems and qualifications among the partner states.
They encouraged the member countries to embrace the framework because it will spur mobility of students and labour in Africa and boost integration.
The teachers promised to meet from time to time during the weekends and holidays to socialize as one of the ways of enhancing their integration.
