MDGs in Africa

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Goal 2- Achieving universal primary education

The number of children attending primary school in Africa has increased rapidly during the past decade, from 50 per cent in 1990 to 61.2 per cent in 2000. Albeit significant, progress is insufficient to attain the Goal (Table 2).

Unfortunately, increased enrolment has not translated into completion rates. Overall, a mere 55 per cent of the children on the continent are able to complete a full course of primary education, against 57 per cent a decade ago. The remainder enter into child labour, poverty and the streets - and the girl child is the first victim.

Access to primary education is considered the first step in providing citizens with the tools to develop as individuals and as productive members of society. Some 14 African countries have already reached or have the potential to reach this Goal (centre-spread).

Uganda’s higher economic growth leads to higher enrolment

Uganda has achieved a doubling of gross primary enrolment between 1996 and 1999. This happened after the country’s president, Yoweri Museveni, abolished school fees for up to four children per family, simultaneously sending a message to citizens that smaller families may be more affordable.

Even though enrolment did rise after 1996, getting those children through the door required more than lower fees. The Ugandan government was able to meet its objectives in the area of primary education because, as a prior condition, it established macroeconomic stability and prioritised social spending.

Uganda demonstrated political will by raising enrolment so quickly. But, as its education ministry pointed out, the government’s ability to do so was closely related to the nation’s emergence from two decades of war and instability to one of the highest economic growth rates in the world. Source: Clemens et al. 2004

MDG Mapper: Visualizing Progress towards the MDGs in Africa

Poverty Reduction Strategies and MDGs Knowledge Sharing Network

African Learning Group on Poverty Reduction Strategies and the Millennium Development Goals

MDG maps

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