OPERATIONALIZATION OF EAC CLUBS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE OFFING ..As pilot Phase set to embark in Burundi

East African Community

East African Community Secretariat, Arusha 10 June 2014: A Regional Workshop on establishment and operationalization of EAC Clubs in Secondary Schools in the region kicked off today at Hotel le Chandelier in Bujumbura, Burundi. 

The regional workshop facilitated by EAC Secretariat in collaboration with GIZ, brought together students and teachers from various Secondary Schools in Burundi as well as representatives from the Education Ministries within the EAC Partner States and stakeholders in the education sector.

 In her opening remarks, Minister to the Office of the President Responsible for EAC Affairs from the Republic of Burundi, Hon. Leontine Nzeyimana emphasized "the need to ensure that the Youth within the EAC are well equipped with the necessary tools and skills to actively participate in the regional integration process and therefore contribute to the overall development of the region." 

She highlighted that Article 120 (c) of the Treaty for establishment of the East African Community provides for adoption of a common approach for involvement of the youth in the integration process through education, training and mainstreaming youth issues into the EAC policies, projects and programs for strategic interventions. 

The three-day workshop's overall objective is to sensitize and raise awareness among East African Youth especially at the Secondary School level, to understand and own the stakes and opportunities of the EAC integration.

Speaking  on behalf of the EAC Secretariat, the Principal Education Officer, Mr. Aloysius Chebet underscored the importance of youth involvement and active participation of the youth towards building a stronger and solid foundation for the current people-centred EAC integration process, since they are the majority and most crucial part of the EAC citizenry.  

Various presentations were incorporated in the workshop such as the Status of EAC Regional Integration specifically within the Education sector, the Role of the Youth in the EAC integration and the opportunities, how the EAC Clubs are structured and functioning and challenges experienced so far within the Secondary Schools where EAC Clubs have already been established. 

Some of the expected outcomes of this project include; familiarizing the youth with the benefits and opportunities of the EAC integration process; sensitizing them about different projects and programmes in different sectors that generate economic growth; and establishment of EAC Clubs in Secondary Schools in the other four Partner States.