NAIROBI: Massive investments in basic education for African children are required to help the continent realise its long-term transformation agenda, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said Thursday ahead of the Day of the African Child that will be marked Sunday.

In a statement, UNICEF said that most African countries are not meeting their commitments to allocate 20 percent of their national budget benchmark on education, as recommended by the Sustainable Development Goal framework for action for education.

“To ensure prosperity in Africa, we urgently need to see a continental revolution where commitments are turned into concrete action so children can attain the vital foundational skills necessary for them to progress to higher forms of education and realise their full potential,” said Etleva Kadilli, UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa.

In the lead up to Sunday’s Day of the African Child, themed this year on “Education for all children in Africa: the time is now”, underscore
s the urgent need to ensure increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality and relevant learning in Africa.

Source: Emirates News Agency