EI Africa COMNET Webinar Highlights Urgent Need for Education Investment

On March 26, 2025, EI Africa convened an online forum of the Communications Network (ComNet) titled "Building Capacity in Communication, Elevating the Go Public! Fund Education Campaign." This significant event aimed to equip participants with effective communication strategies to advocate for increased investment in public education through the “Go Public! Fund Education campaign. The Go Public! Fund Education Campaign calls on governments to prioritize education as part of the global commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) on quality education.
 
In his opening remarks, Dr. Dennis Sinyolo underscored the stark reality that Africa is falling behind in achieving SDG 4, presenting alarming statistics highlighting the region's chronic underfunding of education. He pointed out that, on average, African governments allocate only 15% of their national budgets and a mere 3.8% of GDP to education. This underinvestment poses a significant threat to the continent's future as the demand for trained and qualified teachers grows; it is estimated that 15 million new educators will be needed by 2030, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where only about 60% of current teachers meet national training standards.
 
In light of the recent adoption of the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) 2026-2035 by the African Union, Dr. Sinyolo called for immediate action to implement these critical policies. He urged participants to harness their expertise as communication professionals and union leaders to elevate the Go Public! Fund Education campaign. This initiative aims to ensure that every African child has access to quality education, emphasizing the collective responsibility to transform educational policies into actionable results that can benefit future generations.
 
The webinar also featured insights from education leaders and communication officers across the continent, including Agnes Beatrice Bikoko from FECASE in Cameroon, Daisy Zambuko from Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA), Garang Deng Kuol Athian from National Teachers’ Union of South Sudan (NTUSS), and Dr. Clinton Ikpitibo from Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). These leaders shared progressive strategies they have adopted to enhance the Go Public Fund Education Campaign in their respective nations. They discussed their successful engagements with government officials, civil society organizations, and policymakers to advocate for increased public education funding, highlighting the urgent need for more resources to ensure equitable access to quality education.
 
In addition, Rebeca Logan, EI’s Director of Campaigns and Communications, and Dr. Pedi Anawi, EI Africa Regional Coordinator, reiterated the campaign’s commitment to advancing education funding on both global and African platforms. They emphasized the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders to drive essential policy changes and mobilize support for public education initiatives. This collaborative approach aims to create a sustainable future for education across Africa, establishing a stronger foundation for the next generation and ensuring that no child is left behind in accessing quality education.
 

[Fri, 04 Apr 2025 23:47:57 +0000] | DIGG THIS


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