To officially launch policy dialogue activities for the Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX) program, a workshop was held in Conakry on August 04, 2023, that was organized by the Ministre de l’Enseignement Pré-universitaire et de l’Alphabétisation [Ministry of Pre-University Education and Literacy] (MEPUA) in collaboration with the KIX Africa 21 hub.
Hosted by the General Secretary of MEPUA, Dr. Julien Bongono, the workshop was attended by Dr. Maïmouna Sissoko Touré, Coordinator of the KIX Africa 21 hub, and representatives of other organizations involved in developing the Guinean education system, especially decentralized education services, civil society, and technical and financial partners.
The purpose of the event was to inform stakeholders and partners in the education system about the implementation of the KIX program in Guinea, and to gather contributions for the successful implementation of the program, particularly through the planned policy dialogue activities.
Opening the series of speeches, Fassou Balla Condé, KIX Focal Point in Guinea, paid a vibrant tribute to the initiators of the KIX program and stressed how important the program is, especially in terms of connecting education stakeholders. He particularly emphasized the key role of KIX in capacity building for the members of the team he coordinates, especially through the various tables and experience-sharing frameworks set up by the KIX Africa 21 hub. He also praised the excellent collaboration within the national team, with the support of researchers, civil society and the clear determination of the authorities of the department of pre-university education, in particular Guillaume Hawing, Ministre de l’Enseignement Pré-universitaire et de l’Alphabétisation [Minister of Pre-University Education and Literacy] (MEPUA).
Dr. Maïmouna Sissoko Touré, Regional Coordinator of the KIX program, praised the excellent collaboration of the Ministère de l’Education Nationale et de l’Alphabétisation Guinée [Ministry of Pre-University Education and Literacy of Guinea] for its remarkable commitment to KIX program activities, particularly through the KIX national coordination team, which contributes to passing along promising innovations for qualitative changes in education. She recalled that the KIX program is a truly unifying instrument for projects and programs in French-speaking countries, not only for national education initiatives, but also for other organizations that participate in the education system. To this end, KIX is rolling out several activities, including the Continental Symposium on Educational Research, organized with the KIX Africa 19 hub, the second edition of which was held on October 3–5, 2023, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on the theme of data production and analysis for resilient, inclusive and high-performance education systems in sub-Saharan Africa.
Invited to launch the event, the General Secretary of MEPUA, Dr. Julien Bongono, recalled the interest of the Guinean government in KIX. He recalled the themes that guide the Ministry’s actions, including pre-service and in-service teacher training, equity and inclusion, the quality of teaching and learning in multilingual environments, and quality literacy. Dr. Bongono concluded that KIX provides an opportunity to promote the diverse knowledge and innovations produced by Guinean researchers and education stakeholders for quality teaching and learning, which ensures social success. Before closing his speech, the General Secretary expressed great hopes for the successful implementation of the KIX Africa 21 program in Guinea.
