72m children still not in school -Efa chairperson

Madam Adelaide Sosseh, chairperson of the Education For All Campaign Network, The Gambia, has disclosed that seventy two million children globally are currently without an education, noting that, girls and disabled children of those living in the areas of conflict are most at risk.

The veteran educationist made this confirmation last Friday, at a press briefing at the Tango conference hall in Fajara, as part of activities marking the Global Week of Action on Education For All, to be held in Bwiam, Foni Kansala district.

The Theme for this years Global Week of Action is “Politicians back to school, while the message is “equality education for all:  End exclusion now”, aimed at bringing politicians back to school so that they see at first hand for themselves, what is happening in schools and to take measures to address these problems.

The Education For All Campaign Network, The Gambia, according to Madam Sosseh, has since 2000 joined the GCE , the Africa Campaign Network on Education For All and other networks and coalitions around the world to celebrate the event. She then observed that, this year, it is observed that seven hundred and seventy four million adults are also currently without an education. “The global company for education for all, a coalition which promotes education for all children and adults everywhere does not think this is fair” she said.

She on behalf of the GCA called on governments and the international community to take immediate action to deliver on their promises of quality and free compulsory education to everyone adding that, together we can say to our leaders ‘no one should be excluded from a quality basic education and the chance to reach their potential’. “We can start by taking part on the World’s Biggest Lesson on April 23rd, during this years action week to teach our leaders the reality of all those millions of children out of school” she stressed.

While commending The Gambia government through the Department of State for Basic and Secondary Education for their concern on education for all, Madam Sosseh, then implored on world leaders to fulfill their promises and encourage young children to access basic quality education. She noted that education is every ones business and quickly called on the private sector to equally fulfill their corporate social responsibilities and invest highly on education. “The private sector depends on young educated staff to enable their businesses grow” she concluded.