Why Education?
Education is vital to a thriving society. A society that is ignorant will become the breeding ground for violence and intolerance. But an educated society will be a breeding ground for tolerance and peace, justice and understanding, innovation and advancement, and positive, self-sustaining growth. It's important to educate our children, no matter where they live, for they will grow to become responsible citizens of their society. Each child represents a future, the future of the community, of the country, and indeed the future of the whole world.
- The Need for Education at the Most Basic Levels is Known and Agreed to Globally
- The Results of Educated Citizens are Well Documented
Poverty
141,000,000 people in East Africa live on less than $2US/day Typical family size has 6 children. 1
~
Cost of education remains the largest obstacle: 700 full board, $30 uniform/shoes, $30 school supplies/term.
Access to Education
East Africa has high initial primary
enrollment rates (>90%), but lose
30-40% of students before they
complete primary school.2
~
In 2007, only 25% of elementary school
students went on to high school
because of the expenses.3
~
In 2006, 101 million children, more than
half of them girls, were not attending
primary school, the majority of these
children live in sub-Saharan Africa.4
~
Sexual violence, unsafe school
environments and inadequate
sanitation disproportionately affect
girls' self-esteem, participation
and retention in school.
Quality of Education
East Africa struggles to provide
education quality and infrastructure as
indicated by student-to-teacher ratios,
primary completion rates, secondary
enrollment, and youth literacy rates.
~
Student-to-teacher ratios have increased
in sub-Saharan Africa due to mandatory
enrollment. East Africa averages
72 students to 1 teacher. Four million new
primary school teachers are needed in
East Africa alone to reach the goal of
universal primary education by 2015.
~
Crowded and dilapidated classrooms,
coupled with insufficient teaching
resources and instructional time, reflect
well-below average standard of educational
institutions. Advanced learning is
impeded due to nonexistent basic
math and science materials.5
Application of Knowledge
Low innovation and entrepreneurship contribute to high unemployment rates and dependency on foreign aid.
1 World Bank. Data refer to the most recent year available between 1990 and 2005
2, 3, 5 Source: UNESCO Institute of Statistics, 2006
4 UNICEF's State of the World's Children 2009
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