As the world commemorates the International Day of Education today, UNICEF advocates for accessible quality education for every child in Zimbabwe.
UNICEF commend Zimbabwe for the high net enrollment ratio in primary school and will continue to work with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education addressing challenges that are hindering children from accessing quality education.
“We commend Zimbabwe for the high net enrollment ratio in primary school, with nine out ten children of primary school age in school. However, only six children out of ten aged 3 to 5 are enrolled in pre-primary education, and an estimated half a million children of primary and lower secondary school age are out-of-school (MICS). These data remind us to continue to work together under the leadership of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to address the challenges that keep children out of school,” said Dr Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF representative in a statement.
Africa Union has dedicate 2024 to education, thus accelerating Government of Zimbabwe’s progress towards achieving quality and inclusive education.
“In 2024, the African Union will dedicate the year to education. This offers an opportunity for the Government of Zimbabwe to accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education for all, which includes turning the high level commitments made at the Transforming Education Summit (2022) focused on education financing, foundational learning and inclusive learning into concrete actions,” he added.
UNICEF representative also shared a message wrote by Nobuhle Nokutenda Sibanda, a 17 year old learner from Beitbridge, which emphasized on ensuring that every child has equal access to quality education regardless of their abilities, background and circumstances.
The International Day of Education was first observed in 2019 and proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly. This year its been celebrated under the theme ‘learning for lasting peace’, highlighting the importance of education in fostering peace and understanding and strikes a a deep chord with contemporary global issues.
