The first training by the Organisation of Southern Cooperation (OSC)’s Institute, from 17 April 2024, is aimed at providing participants with in-depth knowledge and information about Balanced and Inclusive Education, a key mandate of the OSC.
Most of us OSC staff, come from countries that make up the Global South or have had experience working in these regions. We have first-hand knowledge of the impact of education on individuals and communities. But it is not enough that children and citizens are educated; it is more important to determine what goes on in their education and its quality. The wealthy are able to send their children to good schools, while the underprivileged have limited opportunities for good quality education. In some cases, a student from a less privileged background would have to be extra smart, to make it into a school for the rich. This widens the gap between them, making the cycle of poverty difficult to break. Added to this, are the issues of conflict and war in a few countries in the Global South, which often disrupts learning and other community and family systems.
The training that OSC will deliver for two months, for education specialists and decision-makers from Member States, is going to address how to deal with these challenges. Our goal is for the trainees to replicate what they will acquire in knowledge, back to their countries, through the development of action plans, which will be implemented, to transform their education with new perspectives, better insights, and great motivation.
Of the 6 modules, I developed one module entitled “Transformational Leadership” on which I was also trained. Transformational Leadership will begin with an introspection and change in oneself, to enable the transformation of systems and society. I am excited not only to share my knowledge and skills but to learn from our esteemed trainees. The participants are chosen by their governments to represent their countries, an indication of the calibre of the trainees and the commitment of OSC Member States. When countries of the Global South join forces to work together to better education and its impact on their citizens, they can achieve a revolutionary transformation.
At the OSC Secretariat in Addis Ababa, we share the same values and aspirations not only for ourselves but for the society at large and I am certain that our joint aspirations and vision will help us to achieve the objectives we have set. One step at a time but all of us together, walking the talk.
By Kate Alyzon Ramil
OSC Senior Specialist, Higher Education
Department of Systemic and Endogenous Educational Development (SEED)
