UK extends US$300 million education support to Zimbabwe.
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THE United Kingdom has invested about US$330 million towards improving the country’s education sector over the past two decades.
Speaking during the national World Children’s Day commemorations held in Beitbridge last week, United Kingdom Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Peter Vowles, said Zimbabwe and the UK were among global members that have shown commitment to promoting inclusive education.
He said his country was committed to strengthening its partnership with the Government for the development of the education sector.
“As the UK, we are committed to working together with the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure inclusive education. We want to partner with the country in its efforts to promote inclusive education,” said Amb Vowles.
He said his Government is working with the Zimbabwean Government to ensure more girls and vulnerable children attend school hence it has invested about US$330 million in the education sctor during the past 20 years.
“The Zimbabwean Government has done very well in promoting gender inclusivity in education and we will continue to support it,” said Amb Vowles.
He urged stakeholders to continue looking for drivers of exclusion and finding ways of eliminating them.
Amb Vowles said children have a right to access quality education but it was concerning that a lot of children with disability from several countries in the world were not in school, which was a violation of their basic rights.
He said exclusion from school has far-reaching consequences as it decreases income at household level and also decreases income for the national economy. Amb Vowles urged countries to improve access to education for children with disabilities.
He said there has been progress in education in recent years, particularly through the construction of primary and secondary schools. During his tenure, Amb Vowles said his focus will be to build strong trading relationship between Zimbabwe and UK.
Meanwhile, UNICEF representative, Dr Tajudeen Oyewale, has also commended Zimbabwe for the strides in transforming the education sector.
“I have seen increased commitment to protecting the rights of children by the Government of Zimbabwe.
A lot of work, Dr Oyewale said, has been done as a result of collaboration between the Government and UNICEF.
“Collaboration has allowed us donors to partner Government in the implementation of the National Development Strategy 1,” said Dr Oyewale”
United Nations resident coordinator, Mr Edward Kallon, expressed gratitude to the Government for being effective in ensuring the development and recognition of children’s rights including the right to education.
“Children deserve an opportunity to learn and develop despite their social background. I’m glad that the Government of Zimbabwe is seized with this matter,” he said. “I would like to commend the Government for its efforts in investing in education through collaboration. United Nations is here to support the Government in improving access to education.”
By Staff Reporter
