March 17, 2013 (DUBAI) – Over 500 delegates from around the world have converged in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to discuss the future of global education and how the sector can be improved and fully accessed by all.

A number of former and current heads of state and ministers from various countries, as well as international organisations that invest in education are attending the event, which kicked off on Friday with a live address by the former United States president, Bill Clinton.

The forum highlighted the numerous challenges faced by the education sector, with tens of millions of children still having no access to schools, according to presentations at the forum.

Participants also deliberated on how public-private-partnership (PPP) and other reform models can contribute to specific strategic objectives such as expanding access and improving efficiency and effectiveness in the sector.

Various speakers shared their experiences, including South Sudan’s vice-president, Riek Machar Teny, who discussed the current challenges his country faces in the education sector.

He invited those who can invest in education to come to South Sudan and contribute towards efforts to make education accessible to all.

Minister for higher education, science and technology Peter Adwok Nyaba, minister for general education and instructions Joseph Ukelo and the culture, youth and sports minister, Cirino Hiteng, were among the officials accompanying the vice president to the conference.

The forum also discussed the importance of providing skills in education which are relevant to prevailing market demands in a given nation.

(ST)