From Idu Jude Abuja
As African Countries commemorate the ‘African Union Day’, Civil Society organization (CSO) under the aegis of The Electoral Hub has said that the Nigerian government must prioritize education inline with AU charter by increasing budgetary allocation to the sector to fight illiteracy and social exclusion.
Director of the group Princess Hamman-Obels, in a statement over the weekend, reminded the Federal Government of the need for Nigeria to enshrine policies that ensure equitable access to quality education for all children, especially those in marginalized communities to fight illiteracy in the 21st century.
Princess Hamman-Obels, remarked that “The African Union’s theme for Africa Day 2024, “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa”, is a timely and crucial call to action.
According to Princess Hamman-Obels, the theme, recognizes the pivotal role of education in empowering Africans to meet the challenges of the 21st century and achieve the aspirations of Agenda 2063.
“While some progress has been made, Africa still faces significant educational challenges. In 2023, over a quarter of school-age children were out of school, and 9 out of 10 could not read or write by age 10. Barriers such as lack of inclusivity, affordability, accessibility, and applicability continue to hinder equal access to quality education across the continent”.
Further suggesting for the broader African experience, she agued that the education sector in Nigeria faces significant challenges, stating that the sector is confronted with several challenges including high out-of-school rates especially among girls and rural dwellers, shortage of qualified teachers, poor infrastructure, and underfunding.
These challenges she noted, hinder the development of a skilled workforce and pose a significant obstacle to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 as well as Africa’s Agenda 2063 aspirations.
“this year’s theme is also in line with the Initiative for Research, Innovation, and Advocacy in Development IRIAD’s core values of knowledge exchange and inclusion. Through knowledge exchange, promoting inclusive education, and advocacy measures, IRIAD contributes her quota to the development of Africans who are equipped to thrive in the 21st century. We call on other stakeholders to join us as we strive towards building a resilient education sector in Africa by heeding the following call to action”.
Meanwhile, the body, has called on the Development Partners and International Organizations for an Increased support which is essential to enhance Nigeria’s education system.
It suggested that Nigeria needs a targeted interventions focusing on marginalized groups to help bridge the existing gaps and improve educational outcomes across the country.
This idea it said, can be driven through collaboration with Civil Society Organizations and Community Leaders, for active engagement in education advocacy vital for driving positive change. Civil society organizations and community leaders to play a pivotal role in promoting inclusive and relevant learning initiatives, advocating for policy reforms, and mobilizing resources to support educational development.
The group further pointed out that this year’s theme is also in line with Initiative for Research, Innovation, and Advocacy in Development IRIAD’s core values of knowledge exchange and inclusion. Through knowledge exchange, promoting inclusive education, and advocacy measures, IRIAD contributes her quota to the development of Africans who are equipped to thrive in the 21st century. We call on other stakeholders to join us as we strive towards building a resilient education sector in Africa by heeding the following call to action.
“Today, the Initiative for Research, Innovation, and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD) joins other progressive voices to commemorate Africa Day 2024. Africa Day marks the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now known as the African Union, on May 25, 1963. It was originally called African Freedom Day and later African Liberation Day, reflecting its origins in the collective African resistance to colonialism and economic exploitation” Humanitarian said.