YIAGA Africa, a non- governmental organisation (NGO) has called on governments of the world to protect the inalienable right to education.
The Executive Director, YIAGA Africa, Samson Itodo in commemoration of the International Youth Day said it’s an opportunity to celebrate the role that young women and men play as essential partners in change and provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges and problems facing the world’s youth.
In a press release issued yesterday in Abuja said It also examine how Governments, youth-led and youth-focused organizations as well as other stakeholders and young people are transforming education and how these efforts are contributing to the achievement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
According to him, this year’s theme; Transforming Education, is rooted in Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, goal 4 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Aspiration 1 of Agenda 2063 and a pillar of the 4 E’s – 1 million by 2021 Initiative of the Chairperson of the African Union.
“Provisions of these instruments aim to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for youths and accelerate socio-economic development in the world.
“Of all regions, sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates of education exclusion. According to UNESCO Institute of Statistics, over one-fifth of children between the ages of about 6 and 11 are out of school, followed by one-third of youth between the ages of about 12 and 14.
“Without intentional action, the situation will likely get worse as the region faces a rising demand for education due to a rapid growth in the population.
He said YIAGA AFRICA consistently reaffirms her commitment to transforming education by mainstreaming knowledge transfer into her activities to facilitating learning.
“Acquisition of information, skills and values in African youths by organizing flagship programs like the Annual Youth Organizing School for youths in West Africa which builds the capacities of young people to organize for Policy Advocacy and Civic Engagement in Africa.
“In the practice of democracy, civic engagement remains the foremost way to engage elected representatives, assert the sovereignty of the office of the citizen and hold leaders to account, this is why YIAGA AFRICA invests in her Democracy Summer Camp for teenagers.
“The Summer Camp adopts a fresh and dynamic approach to delve into the curriculum of secondary school to educate them on democracy, civic participation and responsibilities, human rights, and provides them with the requisite information,” he said.
