-UNICEF survey says, due to poverty
G. Bennie Bravo Johnson
The Minister of Gender Children and Social Protection, Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie, recently shared the results of a 2022 UNICEF survey which estimated that 126,702 children in Liberia are living on the streets without attending school.
During a press conference on June 12, 2024, Minister Horace-Kollie announced the upcoming Day of the African Child (DAC) on June 16, 2024, with the theme “Education For All Children In Africa: the time is now.” She referenced UNESCO data that shows a significant percentage of children in Liberia are not in school, citing poverty, gender-based discrimination, violence, conflict, and displacement as contributing factors.
Minister Horace-Kollie: “UNESCO’s alarming stats further revealed that 20% of children between 6 and 11, 30% of children between 12 and 14, and 60% of children between 15 and 17 years are out of School.”
The Education Sector Plan 2022/23–2026/27 highlights the continued challenges in ensuring all children have access to quality education. The plan notes that many children, particularly those in underserved areas, are out of school, limiting their potential and hindering their learning and skill development. The plan also addresses the high dropout rates in schools, attributing them to child poverty, gender discrimination, violence, conflict, disability, and displacement.
As a member state of the AU, Liberia is actively participating in activities to commemorate the 2024 Day of the African Child, with a focus on creating a supportive environment where all children can access affordable educational opportunities.
Nevertheless,, the Gender Minister provided that despite the challenges and achievements, renewed commitment is essential to realize educational outcomes for all children in Liberia. She stated that renewed commitment is essential to realize educational outcomes for all children in Liberia is the overarching goal of this year’s Day of the African Child.
In furtherance, she added that to commemorate the International Day of the African Child which preceded a series of activities, the ministry of Gender in collaboration with UNICEF and other partners, will bstakeholders to ensure that every child in Liberia has the opportunity to receive quality education, healthcare, protection from violence, and a nurturing environment to thrive.
In conclusion, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection extended profound gratitude and appreciation to all of its partners, local and international, particularly UNICEF and the Child Protection Network (CPN) for the level of support and coordination towards the successful celebration of this year’s DAC.
Meanwhile, recent UNICEF statistics have shown that 38% of girls in Liberia between the ages of eighteen to nineteen are pregnant.
UNICEF Resident Coordinator in Liberia Andy Brooks, made this revelation on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at the official announcement of the 2024 Day of the African Child (DAC) which will be held on June 16, 2024, under the theme “Education For All Children In Africa: the time is now.”
in his opinion, the rate at which adolescent girls are getting pregnant around the country is alarming and calls for national concern.
He disclosed that one-third of the children ever bored are not registered with the vital statistics. Brooks further noted that the lack of adequate data on vital statistics hinders government development plans and implementation.
“If you don’t get registered, you don’t exist. When government is planning to improve the health sector, you are not part of that plan.
They plan on the basis of the registered population.”
Meanwhile, he provided that in 2007 the number of registered children at birth in Liberia was just four percent of the total number of children ever bored. However, he intimated that despite the low number of registered children registered at birth, significant effort has been made with 66% of children ever bored registered.
The UNICEF Resident Coordinator continued by calling on all stakeholders to ensure that vital statistics on children ever born are improved by registering every child irrespective of where they are bored. “Every time a kid is bored in a health facility, they need to be registered right away.
Those who are not bored in the health facility must be registered upon immunization.”
He asserted that this will help the government make informed decisions in development planning for the health. UNESCO’s alarming stats revealed that 20% of children between 6 and 11, 30% of children between 12 and 14, and 60% of children between 15 and 17 years are out of school.
The Education Sector Plan 2022/23–2026/27 emphasizes that too many children remain out of school, especially the poorest children in underserved areas, with their rights to a quality education unrealized and their potential unfulfilled.
It also provides that the Plan pinpointed that of the number of children in school, the vast majority are over-age for their grade, which amongst other things, limits the effectiveness of their learning and acquisition of skills, especially when the learning environment is unsafe, unhealthy, and unprotected.
The Day of the African Child (DAC) is an international campaign with an African appeal aimed at raising awareness about the plight of children in Africa, particularly the need for continuous improvement in education.
The significance of this day stems from resolution No: CM/1290 of the Heads of States Summit of the former Organization of African Unity in Abuja, Nigeria, in June 1991. It commemorates the tragic events of June 16, 1976, when hundreds of school children were massacred in Soweto, South Africa, while protesting against the inferior quality of their education and demanding the right to be taught in their own language.
This year’s DAC theme, “Education For All Children In Africa: the time is now,” underscores the urgency of providing accessible and inclusive education opportunities for all children, irrespective of gender or circumstance.
In Liberia, despite some progress, there are still significant challenges in realizing the right to education for every child. The Human Capital Index for Liberia indicates that a child born today will only reach 32 percent of their full potential, below the sub-Saharan African average.
This year’s DAC aims to remind stakeholders of their commitments to address the hurdles facing Liberia’s educational system. It provides an opportunity for parents, national and international partners, communities, and children to elevate the educational discourse, reaffirm commitments, mobilize resources, and take concrete actions.
