Over 30 million children in sub-Sahara Africa still out of school

Khartoum-More than 30 million children of primary school age in sub-Sahara Africa have been out of school, with two over two thirds of them in West and Central Africa, UNICEF said in a press release issued Sunday.

“Moreover, millions who are in School are learning a little”. The press release added referring to reports by UNICEF and the UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Admitting the major progress in the past decade, the reports highlight the importance of addressing income poverty, as well as issues of location and gender, the press release stated.

They stress that culture; language, security and the environment are vital considerations in improving education. The reports also underline the need for greater analysis and more evidence-informed planning in order to reach excluded children, the press release said.

UNICEF and UNESCO are calling on African governments and donors to refocus their efforts to provide free, high quality education. The ultimate goal is to ensure that all children, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances, are in school and learning, the press release said.

Sudan has made a considerable progress in increasing the access to education in the past decade as the registration percentage in the primary education rose from 57.4% in 2000 to 96.7% in 2012 while the girl registration percentage rose from 49.3% to 97.3% during the same period. The press release said.

Despite this positive progress, more than 1.9 million children at education age are still out of school, it added.