“Children in emergency situations have a right to quality education like every
other child, yet education in emergencies continues to be critically underfunded
and under-resourced. Education is lifesaving and should not be seen as a second
phase of a humanitarian response,” – Wongani Grace Taulo, UNICEF Regional
Education Adviser for Eastern and Southern Africa.
It is a basic right for every child to receive an education that is both inclusive and of high
quality. However, in Africa, there are nearly 46 million children of school age who do not
attend school. Those who face the greatest challenges, particularly those impacted by
conflict and climate crises, often lack access to education the most.
According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, of the
244 million children globally between ages 6 and 18 who are not in school, more than
98 million—or over 40%—reside in sub-Saharan Africa. This includes significant
numbers in Nigeria (20.2 million), Ethiopia (10.5 million), the Democratic Republic of
Congo (5.9 million), and Kenya (1.8 million). Currently, sub-Saharan Africa exhibits the
highest levels of educational deprivation worldwide, with an alarming figure of 90% of
children unable to competently read or comprehend a basic text by age 10. Children
entrenched in areas plagued by conflict or climate-related emergencies are
disproportionately impacted by this learning deficit, suffering the highest rates of
educational shortfall in the region. Over half of all children worldwide affected by crises
are in sub-Saharan Africa. These vulnerable children should be prioritized for extensive
educational support to aid their learning and rehabilitation; however, many are
unfortunately left without such assistance.
It is widely recognized that education is a critical component for socio-economic
development, significantly contributing to the improvement of individual lives and
community welfare. Education equips people with crucial skills, knowledge, and abilities
necessary for personal development and societal progress. The benefits of education
extend past scholastic achievement, advancing economic growth, alleviating poverty,
promoting social fairness, bettering health conditions, stimulating innovation,
encouraging environmental preservation, reinforcing community connections, and
supporting self-actualization.
From an economic standpoint, education is a driving force for expansion and
improvement, boosting the productivity and innovative capacity of the labor market.
Individuals with education are more likely to land better-paying careers, foster
technological progress, and spearhead business initiatives, which in turn enriches
overall economic performance and consistency. Additionally, education is crucial in
reducing poverty, as it arms people with vital skills to escape persistent deprivation.
Quality education not only broadens job prospects but also provides individuals with
essential insights that influence their choices regarding health, dietary habits, and family
planning, thus enhancing the general quality of life.
Education acts as a leveler, providing opportunities for people from all walks of life to
thrive and contribute to society. It encourages social harmony by teaching acceptance
and respect for differences and enables individuals to partake in meaningful discussions
and unite on community matters. By granting knowledge and skills, education
empowers people to make choices, speak up for themselves, and influence their
futures. It reduces inequalities related to gender, ethnicity, or income through accessible
educational opportunities. Moreover, an educated public is more likely to take part in
civic duties, comprehend their rights, and actively engage in democratic processes,
promoting a fair and just society.
Access Bank PLC, one of Africa’s premier financial institutions, continues to reaffirm its
dedication to education and community development through its annual UNICEF
Charity Shield Polo Tournament. During the 2024 event, Access Bank announced the
construction of 60 additional classrooms in Maraban Jos, Kaduna. This initiative
underscores the transformative power of sports in driving community upliftment.
The tournament, which attracted dignitaries, sports enthusiasts, and philanthropists,
highlighted how sports can serve as a powerful catalyst for social good. This year's
announcement builds on the Bank's commendable efforts in 2023, where they
commissioned 30 blocks, each comprising two classrooms, during the same event.
Upon the project completion, Access Bank aims to double the enrolment capacity of
the Access Bank Fifth Chukker School. This expansion is poised to significantly
enhance educational opportunities, building on the school’s success in providing quality
education and social welfare to approximately 14,000 children to date. The Polo
Tournament has also, in recent years, been extended to include South Africa, with a
partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation forming a foundation for scaled impact
across the continent. Access Bank’s initiatives include scholarships, mentorship
programs, and providing a comprehensive educational experience for underserved
students.
Continuing with similar initiatives, Access Bank, in collaboration with the Temitayo
Awosika Help Foundation, launched the Back to School Project to lessen financial
pressures on parents and guardians of children with sickle cell disease. This noble
cause has provided over 12,000 underprivileged students with vital scholastic materials.
These materials comprise textbooks essential for thorough learning, backpacks for the
efficient and safe transport of items, notebooks designed for effective note-taking and
homework, along with an array of stationery crucial for everyday learning tasks.
Through this provision, TAHF aims to promote educational opportunity and equity,
ensuring that children from all economic backgrounds have the essential instruments to
thrive academically.
Access Bank, in partnership with The Bethesda Child Support Foundation, introduces
the "SHE Reads" initiative, an ambitious project designed to enroll, empower, and
transform the lives of 5,000 out-of-school young women in Nigeria over the next five
years. This initiative focuses on a one-year intensive literacy program to teach reading
and writing, establish literacy centers across various states, and address gaps in
numeracy and financial literacy. Additionally, it includes health workshops to ensure
overall well-being. By enrolling an initial cohort of 200 young women, the program aims
to provide them with the tools needed for personal and professional growth, fostering
independence and self-worth, with the support of local communities, educational
institutions, health organizations, and corporate partners. Continuous monitoring and
evaluation will ensure the program's effectiveness and sustainability, ultimately
contributing to a brighter future for the participants.
Furthering its efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children, Access Bank
partnered with Kidpreneur Africa to launch "Project Educate Me." This initiative aims to empower internally displaced and underserved youth with essential literacy, financial,
digital, and life skills. Targeting vulnerable populations in Adamawa, Katsina, and Borno
states, Project Educate Me will support children in specific local government areas. By
collaborating with stakeholders, the project seeks to directly benefit over 150,000
children, ensuring positive, lasting impacts on their lives and futures.
Access Bank Ghana’s partnership with CHAINT AFRIQUE on the “A Sandal More”
project, an initiative focused on upcycling used car tires into eco-friendly, durable school
sandals. This innovative project addresses the dual needs of promoting quality and
inclusive education for all children by providing sandals to underprivileged children, and
promoting environmental sustainability by repurposing waste materials.The project was
launched in 2023 supported 1,000 school children in Ghana with sandals made from
tires. The initiative has impacted over 400 communities and involved skills acquisition
programs for youth and entrepreneurs to build capacity on recycling old tires, with 1,000
individuals trained. Collection hubs were provided in various locations for the collection
of old tires from customers and employees
Building on its success in Ghana, Access Bank Nigeria partnered with FREEE Recycle
to launch a transformative initiative in Oyo State. The program collected and recycled
706 discarded tires from the Oyo environs through FREEE’s network of aggregators.
The recycled tires were utilized to produce 2,500 rubber sandals, benefiting school children in various communities across Oyo State. This initiative not only addressed
critical waste management challenges by promoting recycling and reducing carbon
emissions but also enhanced access to education by providing footwear to school
children. Additionally, Access Bank and FREEE Recycle were committed to
empowering local communities through skills development, ensuring sustainable
contributions to FREEE Recycle's manufacturing operations and fostering
environmental stewardship across the region.
In Zambia, many girls encounter formidable challenges due to the considerable
distances they must traverse to reach school. These distances often pose a barrier to
their education, especially in rural areas like Kasama. Recognizing this obstacle,
Access Bank Zambia has made a significant contribution to the Strong Girls Strong
Zambia Campaign by donating 60 bicycles. These bicycles play a crucial role in
enhancing educational opportunities for vulnerable girls. By providing a means of
transportation, Access Bank Zambia is helping to overcome the logistical hurdles that
often prevent girls from attending school regularly and punctually. This initiative not only
ensures safer and more efficient travel but also empowers girls to prioritize their
education, thereby fostering their academic success and personal development.
Access Bank is actively addressing educational barriers, empowering vulnerable
populations, and promoting sustainable development. By focusing on literacy,
empowerment, and community engagement, Access Bank not only transforms
individual lives but also contributes significantly to the socio-economic advancement of
communities. As we all know, education is a fundamental human right and it is our
obligation to ensure no child is left behind.
