PLANS are underway for the second edition of the National Education Conference and Expo (NECE), a key event designed to bring together all stakeholders in the education sector within a collaborative environment.
This platform will offer a unique chance for participants to network with peers, engage with relevant authorities, and exchange insights with experts, all aimed at improving education systems.
The three-day conference, organised by Action for Empowerment Zimbabwe, is scheduled to take place next month in Masvingo, running under the theme Resilience and Reinvention.
Action for Empowerment chief executive Violet Nkathazo said the conference would draw education stakeholders from all walks of life.
“NECE as a conference is important as it is a multi-stakeholder platform that brings together the different education institutions in one place (private, government, independent, church owned) as well as the different regulatory and policy-making bodies,” she said.
“We hope the conference fosters partnerships among schools and orgaanisations to support student learning and well-being as well as contribute to long-term systemic improvements in the education sector through stakeholder consensus to advocate for policy change and improvements.”
Among notable potential attendees will be Primary and Secondary Education minister Torerayi Moyo, his counterparts Tatenda Mavetera (ICT, Postal and Courier Services), Kirsty Coventry (Sport, Arts and Recreation) and Paul Mavima, who leads the Skills Audit and Development portfolio.
The event will also feature Action for Empowerment Zimbabwe president Alson Darikayi and Association of Trust Schools executive director Tim Middleton.
In an interview, Darikayi said the conference was intended to support the government’s initiatives in the education sector, contributing towards achieving Vision 2030 and sustainable development goals.
“As the global economy shifts with the rise of the digital revolution, which is becoming the new norm for connectivity and the hallmark of the new generation, we must develop resilient education systems that are adaptable, innovative and technologically advanced, capable of ensuring equitable and effective learning opportunities for all students,” he said.
“Achieving this will require the combined efforts of all players in the education value chain to reinvent and transform our educational system, including its content, methods, participation and venues in order to create a more adaptable and resilient system.”
