The Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) meeting in Maputo from 5-9 May 200 will focus on Post-Primary Education, which has been identified as one of the greatest challenges facing education systems in Africa. The ADEA Biennale will address three major areas within this general theme: extension of basic education to include lower secondary education; Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and labor markets in urban and rural settings; and articulation between upper secondary and higher education.

Initial exploration of the topic began with the Ad hoc Working Group on Post-Primary Education (WGPPE), established in November of 2004 to address the growing needs in light of achievements of universal primary education. Several meetings have been organized since in preparation of the Biennale.

The Biennale on Education in Africa, which unites nearly 500 participants, serves as the most significant educational event for the African region. Ministers of Education from sub-Saharan Africa, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, experts from Ministries and universities, as well as representatives from civil society are each invited to participate in the Biennale. The 2008 Biennale seeks to provide the educational community of Africa with the research, tools, and capacity to advance post-primary education across the continent.

For more information, please see the ADEA web site at http://www.adeanet.org/en_biennale-2008.htm