On June 16th African Countries commemorated the International Day of the African Child (DAC) under the theme, “Education for All Children in Africa: The Time is Now.!” This year, Uganda was honoured to host the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) as they led Africa in the continental celebrations.

The celebrations, organized by the Government of Uganda (GOU) and the Committee of Experts, was held in Kiryandongo district, drawing attention to the pressing need for equitable access to quality education across Uganda and the continent. The main celebrations were preceded by a children’s parliament that brought together over 700 children from across Uganda and the continent, providing a platform for children to engage in discussions about their right to education, experiences on access to quality education, challenges faced and recommendations to African Governments.

Presenting their outcome statement, the children called upon governments to take several key actions to address the education challenges in Africa, among them was allocation of sufficient budgets to the education sector to provide the necessary resources and infrastructure.

They further called on their leaders to improve school facilities and invest in quality teacher training while ensuring education is free and compulsory to ensure all children have access. Hon. Wilson de Almeida Adão, Chairperson of ACERWC, highlighted the historical significance of DAC, commemorating the 1976 Soweto student uprising and stressed the need for ensuring access to quality education for all African children, pointing out the alarming statistics of out-of-school children across different age groups in Africa.

Children engaging during a children's parliament. This was part of the DAC pre-event activities. 

“I would like to take this opportunity to applaud the Government of the Republic of Uganda for its inclusive refugee policy which has allowed a wide range displaced and refugee children to get education and integrate in the host community.” Wilson said. Damon Wamara, Chairperson of the CSO Forum, emphasized the vital role civil society organizations play in advocating for children’s rights and access to quality education, calling upon stakeholders to commit to building an Africa where every child can grow up in dignity, free from fear and want, with their full potential nurtured.

Hon. Poloko Tshwarang, ACERWC Special Rapporteur on education renewed the ACERWC’s strong commitment to continuously engage with AU Member States to ensure the provision of free and compulsory education to all children across the continent.

Children’s Outcome Statement

The children’s outcome statement identified key challenges such as accessibility issues, resource gaps, and safety concerns in the school environment. To address these, they recommended that governments allocate sufficient budgets to education, improve school facilities, and make education free and compulsory.

They also called on the African Union to promote peace and stability, civil society organizations to support governments in enhancing education quality and accessibility, and parents to be actively involved in their children’s education.

L-R Children facilitated by Save the Children from Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Burundi attended the event.  

Save the Children’s Position on Education in Africa

Save the Children released a comprehensive position statement, highlighting the critical education challenges facing Africa’s youth. The organization underscored the importance of sustained public investment and collaborative action to establish equitable, resilient education systems.

They emphasized several key priorities, including investing in social protection systems, prioritizing school-based health and nutrition interventions, protecting education during crises, addressing the impacts of climate change, and removing cost barriers to education.

L-R: State Minister of Primary Education Joyce Moriku Kaducu, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi, and Hon. Wilson de Almeida Adão, Chairperson of ACERWC at the event in Kiryandongo.