The Minister of Education, Dr Charles Murigande, has said for the East African Common Market to be fully realized, there was need to harmonise the regional education system, which he said, will promote equal employment opportunities.

During an interview, Murigande noted that the harmonization will create a sense of respect to graduates from partner states who may want to seek employment in other member states.

"If the education system is harmonized, all degrees will be recognized equally, valued and understood in all regional countries. This means that all graduates will have equal employment opportunities in all member states,” said the minister.

Murigande made the revelation following a meeting in Arusha of EAC ministers  with education in their attributions.

During the one-day meeting, the ministers directed that a study on the harmonization of education system be reviewed to capture recommendations made by the partner states.

Other issues on the agenda was the establishment of regional centres of excellence and seeking ways of introducing the One Laptop Per Child, (OLPC) programme in all member states.

Regarding the establishment of centres of excellence, partner states were urged to propose five institutions from the partner states that would serve the purpose.

The ministers also recommended that EAC adopts a broader e-Learning strategy that would develop and enhance e-Education in partner states and a secretariat was directed to develop a concept paper on e-Learning and advise on the feasibility of the OLPC.

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