Gabon redraws the future of education: comprehensive reforms to prepare youth for future jobs
Curriculum reform, expansion of technical education, and digitalization enhance youth preparedness.
Written by: Mohammed Omran
Gabon is reshaping the future of education: comprehensive reforms to prepare young people for the jobs of tomorrow.
Camelia Ntoutom Leclercq, Minister of State and Minister of National Education in Gabon, affirmed that the government places the development of education at the forefront of its priorities, through the modernization of curricula, the strengthening of technical and vocational education, and linking educational outputs to the needs of various economic sectors, in order to contribute to preparing national cadres capable of leading development in the coming years.
She explained that the government launched a comprehensive curriculum reform, which included the introduction of the “Business Management, Science and Technology (STMG)” track, along with expanding the establishment of technical schools and colleges, and modernizing their equipment, in line with the needs of the timber, mining, agriculture, energy, construction, digital economy and services sectors.
In the context of digital transformation, the minister indicated that Gabon is working to integrate 21st-century skills into the educational process, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, digital skills, and lifelong learning, with the aim of preparing students for the jobs of the future, in light of the rapid development of artificial intelligence and automation.
She added that the National Digitalization Program, which is being implemented in partnership with a number of government agencies and international organizations, including UNICEF and the World Bank, has contributed to the distribution of 1,500 tablets to primary schools, the training of 4,500 students and 307 teachers on the use of digital technologies, in addition to connecting 148 schools to the Internet, and providing 2,504 computers and 500 interactive screens in secondary schools.
She also stressed the importance of strengthening the partnership with the private sector, noting the organization of national forums that brought together educational institutions and companies to develop training programs that meet the needs of the labor market, in addition to expanding practical training programs within productive institutions, especially in the wood industry sector.
These reforms reflect Gabon's orientation towards building a more inclusive and efficient education system, capable of preparing generations with the skills necessary to compete in the modern economy and support sustainable development efforts, thereby enhancing the position of education as one of the most important drivers of economic and social growth in the country.
