Education is a Right, so why can't African Children Access it?
In a time of increasing geopolitical tensions and a consistent infringement of democratic freedoms, the importance of children’s education falls further and further on the national and international agendas in place of much needed security and political matters.
Even so, it cannot be denied that all children deserve a thorough and comprehensive education regardless of where they are in the world. As we commemorate the Day of the African Child, the need for action is greater now than ever.
Geopolitical factors such as: climate change, poverty, and displacement are undeniably greatly influencing factors in preventing children accessing education in the African continent. However, it is conflict that frequently pushes young children out of education and into forced marriages and army groups before they are able to access a quality education. It was reported in 2022 that children within Africa are five times less likely to receive a basic education in comparison to children around the world. With conflicts engulfing the continent, a child’s right to a quality education must be a concern for all country leaders.
Statistics have shown that approximately 48 million young people on the Sub-Saharan continent are deemed illiterate, with a further 30 million primary school aged children not in education. This is in comparison to the 15 million young people that are illiterate across Europe. The contrast is stark and it raises the question, why is educational inequality still so prevalent? Moreover, how can the UK take leadership in supporting the children of Africa in receiving a good quality education and overall driving up educational standards globally?
Well, so far the UK has been fairly supportive of educational initiatives in the continent, with programmes such as Strengthening Malawi’s Educational System, Partnership for Learning for All in Nigerian Education and The Human Development Innovation Fund have all been excellent examples of British leadership within global education. However British support for educational initiatives now hangs in the balance given the aid cuts announced earlier this year, following the Trump administration’s decision to halt USAID; and nations such as Germany and Canada following suit.
Aid cuts have been detrimental to the maintenance of global educational standards. However the cuts administered by Starmer’s government are nothing new when it comes to the shocking impact of funding cuts to educational projects. Northeastern Nigeria saw cuts of 31% to primary education projects and an £828k grant in Uganda was cancelled due to aid cuts in recent years, highlighting how necessary the funding from the UK government is to the children of Africa’s educational prosperity. However this also shows the ever-approaching dire consequences of the additional funding cuts that have been announced.
The decline in educational leadership not only diminishes the opportunities of Africa’s young people but also weakens the UK’s global leadership. With multilateral organisations and development charities alike condemning the cuts due the real human cost, it seems soft power has fallen far from the political agenda.
The children of Africa have a right to an education, and the UK should do what it can to ensure that right is exercised.
Views expressed are that of the author, and not representative of the Coalition for Global Prosperity