Initiative unveiled to boost education in Africa

Initiative unveiled to boost education in Africa as it emerges 98 million children are out of school in Sub-Saharan Africa.

An organisation has unveiled a new initiative aimed to engage African nations in a concerted effort to boost their investment in education after it emerged that 98 million children are out of school in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Bakhita Partnership for Education emphasizes the need to adapt educational systems to be more gender-responsive, transformative and forward-looking, ensuring they are aptly suited for the demands of the 21st century.

The campaign dubbed ‘The 21st Century African Girl' is calling on Governments and stakeholders in Education from all over Africa to prioritise the empowerment of Africa’s youth population with skills relevant and sufficient to thrive in this 21st Century in a manner that guarantees gender equity.

According to the Director for the Jesuits Justice and Ecology Network Africa and the Board Chairperson of the Bakhita Partnership for Education, Fr Charles Chilufya, the report which was unveiled in Nairobi on Monday aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by girls in accessing education in Africa and seeks to highlight the importance of empowering girls through education and addressing the barriers they face.

“This initiative underscores a commitment to leveraging this pivotal year to advance education equity and empower girls and women across the continent. It is a testament to our dedication to ensuring that every girl receives quality education, prioritising the most vulnerable and marginalised," said Fr Chilufya.

"We urge all stakeholders to support this campaign by signing the petition on the Bakhita website," he added.

Among others, the campaign seeks to advocate for the tax-exempt status of sanitary products such as sanitary towels, sanitary tampons, menstrual cups and menstrual sponges to improve girls' access to school by making these essential items more affordable and accessible.

Fr Chilufya said the campaign also calls for a significant commitment from African governments, demanding that at least 20 percent of their annual national budgets be allocated to the education sector.

"This funding should be used primarily for infrastructure development, teacher training and salaries, provision of learning materials and technology, scholarships and financial aid, nutrition and health programs and early childhood education," explained the cleric.

The campaign also advocates for government intervention to extend educational opportunities to marginalized communities and areas affected by crises like poverty and wars, particularly in rural and peri-urban regions.

It urges governments to prioritize the establishment of educational facilities, provision of resources and implementation of supportive policies to ensure that children in these regions have access to quality education.

"We believe in the sanctity of human life and the potential of every child. Our plea is for action that reflects our values of faith, hope, and love. Together, let us forge a path for our children that leads to enlightenment, equality and the common good," said Fr Chilufya.

The initiative focuses on raising funds to support marginalized children and enhance educational infrastructure.

A significant emphasis has also been placed on developing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools, which are crucial for maintaining a healthy and conducive learning environment.

The launch comes in the wake of the groundbreaking decision by the African Union to adopt education as the AU Theme of the Year 2024 with the rallying theme being: “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilience education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa”.

“The future is female, so we need to unlock the continent’s potential by placing 21st Century Gender Transformative education the at the heart of economic development by ensuring that every African learner is equipped for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century," Mme Simone Yankey-Ouattara, African Union Centre for Girls and Women Education (AU CIEFFA) said recently.

The Bakhita Partnership for Education (BPE) is an independently governed partnership of the Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network of Africa (JENA) and the associations of Catholic sisterhoods across Africa with initial efforts in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

Its overall objective is to ensure that every girl child receives quality basic education, prioritizing the poorest and the most vulnerable in the society.

This is in line with SDG4 and 5 goals in ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all by 2030.