Education ministers and officials convened in London for the 22nd Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (22CCEM) meeting on May 16-17, 2024. The agenda prioritised empowering 2.6 billion Commonwealth citizens through inclusive learning opportunities. Held at Marlborough House, discussions centred on education financing, partnerships, and reforms. The theme, "Rethinking Education: A Timely Meeting," guided deliberations led by Commonwealth Secretary-General Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Education Dr Ezekiel Machogu EGH, Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, and Association of Commonwealth Universities Secretary-General Prof Colin Riordan.
During the meeting, Commonwealth Secretary-General Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC said, “Our diversity, unity, and collective genius are immensely precious, with education as our cornerstone. Education is key to solving complex, interlinked challenges and preparing us to build the future. We are all living through the fastest and most far reaching technological advancement in human history of human civilization. So, at the very moment, when we are tackling our greatest challenges, our capacity for transformational progress has never been greater. The Commonwealth will drive this progress, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to build necessary digital skills.”
The Secretary General also underscored that the Commonwealth AI Academy offers free and equitable access to transformative technology, artificial intelligence resources to all Commonwealth citizens. She said, “The virtual hub connects students, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry leaders across the Commonwealth to exchange ideas, access educational materials, and collaborate on AI-driven initiatives for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. The academy, developed with leading tech firms and experts, offers tailored mentorship and showcases AI applications generating social benefits. Its curriculum covers machine learning, data science, and responsible AI. These skills will make our education system more resilient, adaptable, and innovative.”
Nobel Peace Laureate, Kailash Satyarthi emphasised that amid global crises, we need more inclusive and dynamic global governance, with the Commonwealth championing education and leadership. He stressed the importance of strong leadership in this effort, especially from education ministers. Satyarthi acknowledged past failures in education and warned that without urgent action and genuine partnerships, we risk failing our children and not achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He highlighted that prioritising education is crucial for achieving all child-related SDGs.
Satyarthi also observed the global response to the pandemic and noted its worsening impact in low-income African countries, emphasising the need for action. Firstly, he advocated for expanding school feeding programs and eliminating tuition fees, citing Kenya's successful example. Secondly, he highlighted the necessity of social protection programs, estimating a requirement of less than $10 billion to ensure education and health for every child, along with support for new mothers and newborns. However, he lamented the inadequate funding, with low-income African countries receiving less than 0.3% of promised GNP contributions. He stressed the importance of collaboration and genuine connection between problem solvers and sufferers, advocating for compassionate education and intelligence to guide technological advancements.
Leaders convene for press conference
Speaking about India's playing as the largest country in the Commonwealth, playing in for future education, The Secretary General said, “India, as the largest country in the Commonwealth with nearly 1.4 billion people, has demonstrated how technology can bridge the gap between those in need and those with resources. Technological advancements in India have improved governance, efficiency, and effectiveness, lifting millions out of poverty. During my collaboration with the former law minister responsible for ICT, India aimed to deliver services to every citizen for just $1. This scalable approach, though challenging for smaller island states who may have 10,000 to 11,000 people, showcases India's commitment to compassionate global governance. India’s willingness to share its technological advancements with the Commonwealth in an open-source manner offers significant hope to developing nations, enabling them to overcome developmental challenges already addressed by India.
“India's technical assistance could greatly support the Commonwealth Technical Assistance Program. I thank the Indian government for their past contributions and hope for continued financial and technical support. The Commonwealth, representing one-third of the world, is a diverse collective that can drive global change. We choose to continue our 75 years history of collaboration to be the change that Gandhi said, we can be in the world,” she added.
Kailash emphasised that India made a huge leap in the last 15 to 20 years. He said, “ In India, there's a strong aspiration for quality education, not just access. Even in the remotest villages, poor families strive to send their children to the best possible schools, despite financial challenges. This commitment is significant and highlights the concept of compassionate intelligence, which means making decisions with empathy and treating others' problems as our own.”
“Education ministers and the education sector can lead by fostering this mindset in students. By promoting empathy, experiential learning, and volunteerism, schools can help children understand and address issues like faith, racial, and gender discrimination. This approach can be a global solution, addressing these challenges through educational investment and nurturing compassionate intelligence from a young age,” he added.
