The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched an education support programme for its members that have emergencies.
The commission, which provided a grant of U.S.$200,000 for the facilitation of the programme, launched the project through its Department of Human Development and Social Affairs (DHDSA).
According to ECOWAS, the programme is aimed at assisting member states affected by conflict and humanitarian crises for school reintegration and continuation of education for pupils and students, particularly girls and other vulnerable groups.
SDG Four: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
The pilot phase of the programme, which was conducted in Burkina Faso from 02 to 04 November, 2022, will be conducted in Mali, Niger and Nigeria under the ECOWAS Action Plan on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE).
The DHDSA said the main objective of the support is to ensure continuity of learning and training for displaced children, girls and other vulnerable groups in the communities.
It is also to minimise number of school dropouts and safeguard the progress and investment made in education.
Data from the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) shows that millions of children in West and Central Africa are still denied an education.
According to the UN agency, the region accounts for one-third of the global total of primary school-age children and one-fifth of lower secondary-age children who are out of school.
Children and adolescents caught up in humanitarian emergencies are especially vulnerable to missing out on schooling or dropping out of school permanently, UNICEF added.
The ECOWAS education programme in Burkina Faso featured technical consultations between the ECOWAS delegation, which was led by its resident representative in Burkina Faso.
For Burkina Faso, the programme targets 700 youths and children in emergencies, including out-of-school children, girls and other vulnerable groups in recovering and affected communities.
Photo source: UNICEF
