Africa-Press – Tanzania. PUNDITS have welcomed the appointment of former President Jakaya Kikwete, as the new Board Chairman of Global Partnership for Education (GPE), expressing their optimism that he will lift up the sector.
Dr Kikwete was on Friday appointed to head the GPE Board, with the GPE Chief Executive Officer Alice Albright, saying the new appointment will help strengthen the partnership model and benefit millions of children around the world.
In his new role, Dr Kikwete will be assisted by newly appointed Vice-Chairperson, Susan Liautaud, who is Stanford University Lecturer and a Chairperson of the Council of London School of Economics, in the United Kingdom.
According to the GPE statement, Dr Kikwete and Liautaud succeeded Julia Gillard and Serigne Mbaye THIAM and they will officially begin their terms on September 15th, 2021. Commenting on the appointment, a University of Iringa Lecturer Dr Jimson Sanga is of the view that Tanzania is likely to receive more support in the education sector, as Dr Kikwete is a good diplomat and lobbyist on issues of national development.
He said Tanzania will now have a final say on decisions to be made by the GPE and that Tanzanian education experts will now be presented with an opportunity to effectively participate and present their views at the global arena.
“Dr Kikwete is a true patriotic and well experienced leader, he knows the challenges facing the education sector, his appointment has come at a right time and for sure, he fits for that… as a country, we will benefit from his new position,” said Dr Sanga.
He went on to ask for Tanzanians’ support to the former leader on his new task, as he has a crucial role to play in pushing forward development in the education sector in the country.
For his part, the Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) Lecturer Dr Luka Mkonongwa said Dr Kikwete’s appointment will create and provide a link between Tanzania education systems with stakeholders from developed countries, a move that will benefit the nation.
Dr Mkonongwa described the former president as a development- and-result oriented person, who is passionate about bringing transformation in the education sector.
“When he was the President, Kikwete managed to construct schools in all wards across the country, and in his last term he was working on construction of school laboratories,” he said.
Adding: “Now, he can use the same energy to bring equipment in the school laboratories as well as experts, who will be training the students, I’m sure he is capable of that.”
Like Dr Sanga, the Duce lecturer asked Tanzanians to support Dr Kikwete in his new role, as he is carrying the national interest in the global arena.
He said that success in the education sector will pave the way for advancement in other portfolios such as health, agriculture as well as industry and trade.
“Dr Kikwete is among the highly respected and reputable leaders globally … during his tenure, he created a good bond with development partners, indeed we shall benefit,” he noted.
In his statement after the appointment, Dr Kikwete said he would help GPE and partners transform education and address the global learning crisis.
“As a long-time champion of quality education for all, I am honored to be appointed as the new Board Chair of @ GPforEducation. I look forward to helping GPE and partners transform education and address the global learning crisis,” pointed the former president on his tweet, @jmkikwete.
GPE is the largest global fund solely dedicated to transforming education in lower-income countries, and a unique, multi-stakeholder partnership.
It works to deliver quality education so that every girl and boy can have hope, opportunity and agency.
