Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged member states of the African Union Member (AU) to prioritize preprimary and fundamental learning for every child in their respective countries.
Dr Ijeoma Ogwe, Communication Officer, UNICEF Enugu Field Office, stated thus during a press briefing on the commemoration of the Day of African Child with theme, “Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress since 2010.”
Dr Ogwe said that there was the need for all the AU member states to recommit to making education a budget priority and allocate at least, 20 per cent of their annual budgets to preprimary education.
“UNICEF will also highlight the need to leverage international resources and improve transparency and accountability in education budgeting,” she said.
She said that UNICEF recognised the importance of early childhood education for a child’s development and future success hence the need for increased investment in this area.
According to Ogwe, UNICEF further emphasises the need for African leaders to explore and leverage various funding sources, including international public and private resources, financing mechanisms and public-private partnership.
“UNICEF is also advocating for increase in teachers, including funding for recruitment, retention and professional development.
“UNICEF stress the importance of involving children in the budgeting and planning process that affect their lives, ensuring their needs and views are considered,” she said.
The Day of the African Child was launched by the Assembly of Heads of State of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1971, and commemorated on June 16 the same year.
