Dakar, Jan 25 (APS) – More than one in four children of school age, or 29%, is still not in school on the African continent, a “worrying statistic”, estimates the latest world report UNESCO’s 2023 Education Monitoring Report, revealing that the out-of-school population in sub-Saharan Africa increased by 12 million over the period 2015-2021.
The report, according to a joint press release from UNESCO and UNICEF made public on the occasion of International Education Day, January 24, indicates that 9 out of ten children in sub-Saharan Africa cannot read and understand a simple text at the age of 10.
Thus, on the occasion of the International Day of Education, dedicated to learning for lasting peace, Unicef and Unesco are committed to supporting African governments so that they ensure access universal to quality education for every child.
The two UN agencies recognize ”education as an inherent right and a fundamental pillar for peaceful societies and the central role of education in promoting inclusive, democratic and participatory governance”.
”We commend African governments for showing leadership at the Education Transformation Summit by discussing solutions to achieve inclusive and equitable quality education for all by 2030 and reiterating their commitments in in favor of education as a fundamental human right,” they say in the press release.
Indeed, despite the progress made in recent decades, there are challenges that persist in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on education of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, recalls the text.
He notes that “quality is also a concern, even for those who are in school. It is therefore important that governments and partners keep education at the top of the political agenda, emphasizing the importance of equitable national public funding.
Education is the best long-term investment for building peaceful and sustainable societies, notes the press release.
ADL/OID
2024-01-25 21:47:37
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