UNICEF calls for better access to quality education in Africa

   ADDIS ABABA, June 17  -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called for concerted efforts to ensure access to quality education in Africa as the continent marked the Day of the African Child on Sunday.
   UNICEF's call came in light of this year's celebration of the Day of the African Child, which is commemorated annually on June 16, as a significant occasion to reaffirm the continent's collective commitment to the well-being and educational rights of children across Africa.
   This year's edition of the day was commemorated under the theme "Education for All Children in Africa: The Time is Now!"
   "As the year has been designated by the African Union as the year of education for Africa, UNICEF calls upon governments and partners both within and outside the continent to prioritize early childhood education," the UN children's fund said in a statement issued late Sunday.
   It further called on African governments and partners to organize cost-effective events at the national level to galvanize support for education, enhance communication and visibility, and work across sectors to highlight critical factors that contribute to learning.
   "Education is not just a privilege. It is a fundamental right for children," the statement quoted Aboubacar Kampo, UNICEF representative in Ethiopia, as saying. "It is the cornerstone for the holistic development of children and the key to unlocking countless opportunities for their future."
   Commemorating the Day of the African Child, the AU has stressed that this year's theme of the annual celebration underscores the critical role of education financing in ensuring that every child in Africa has access to inclusive, accessible, and relevant learning opportunities.
   According to recent estimates by UNICEF, in Ethiopia alone, about 17 million children, spanning pre-primary, primary and junior secondary levels, are currently out of school with nearly half of them being girls. Additionally, an estimated 3.5 million children at primary and secondary levels are at risk of dropping out, further exacerbating the education crisis in Ethiopia and beyond.
   UNICEF, as a leading advocate for children's rights and well-being, reiterated its strong commitment to addressing the barriers that hinder access to education across the continent.
   "Through strategic partnerships and initiatives, UNICEF is working tirelessly to break these barriers and create a more equitable and inclusive society where every child can thrive," it said. 

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