Some 17 million Ethiopian children out of school, nearly half being girls: UNICEF

ADDIS ABABA (EI): Some 17 million children in Ethiopia are out of school, with nearly half of them being girls, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has disclosed.

In light of the celebration of the Day of the African Child on Sunday under the theme “Providing Education for All Children in Africa, The Time Is Now!”, UNICEF in Ethiopia has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that every child has access to quality education, regardless of their circumstances.

UNICEF, citing recent estimates, said approximately 17 million children in Ethiopia — 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,” it said.

Reiterating the crucial role of availing adequate access to quality education for children in Ethiopia and beyond across the African continent, the UN agency called for more efforts to realize the continental ambitions in line with the African Union’s designation of the year 2024 as the Year of Education for Africa.

UNICEF calls upon governments and partners both within and outside the continent to prioritize early childhood education, 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, it said.

“Education is not just a privilege; it is a fundamental right for children. It is the cornerstone for the holistic development of children and the key to unlocking countless opportunities for their future,” emphasized Aboubacar Kampo, UNICEF Representative in Ethiopia.

UNICEF said as part of its efforts to promote quality education, it has collaborated closely with the Ethiopian Ministry of Education to develop and implement various educational initiatives, including the Early Childhood Development and Education Policy Framework, comprehensive general education curriculum reform, and the Digital Education Strategy and Implementation Plan.

It said these initiatives aim to enhance the quality of education by building the capacity of teachers, improving digital infrastructure, and equipping students with the necessary skills for the future.

According to the African Union, The Day of African Child being commemorated on the 16th of June each year provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made for children and to highlight the challenges that persist towards ensuring access to quality education for all in Africa.

It said by commemorating the Day of African Child in relation to education, attention can be drawn to the need for quality and inclusive education systems that will empower African children to thrive and contribute to Africa’s sustainable development.

With the 55-member pan-African bloc dedicating education as its theme for the entirety of 2024, it stressed the need to highlight the importance of education in shaping the future of African children.