The African Union (AU) and the United Nations Education, Science, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) are deeply troubled by the growing number of children in Africa who are not attending school. This issue, which affects at least 100 million children across the continent, threatens to rob them of what civil rights activist Malcolm X famously referred to as their “passport to the future” says AU.
Recognizing the urgency of addressing this pressing challenge, the AU has chosen “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century” as its theme for the year 2024. This theme underscores the critical need for collective action at various levels to reverse this concerning trend.
The pivotal role of the media in this endeavor cannot be overstated. This was a key focal point of discussion during a side event held at the 3rd African Media Convention in Accra, Ghana, from May 15 to 17, 2024.
Adiatou Fatty, the communications lead of the Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (ESTI) unit at the AU Commission, emphasized the importance of media involvement, stating, “We anticipate very important contributions from the media in the implementation of the theme. We also need an educated, well-trained, competent, and efficient media fit for the 21st century to be able to contribute to the promotion of education on the continent.”
The gravity of the situation calls for concerted efforts from all stakeholders, including governments, organizations, communities, and the media, to ensure that every African child has access to quality education, thus securing a brighter future for generations to come.
