Schools for Africa Phase 2

"NO CHILD IN AFRICA, AND IN FACT ANYWHERE IN the WORLD, SHOULD BE DENIED EDUCATION."  Nelson Mandela

Schools for Africa, a partnership between UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Hamburg Society aims to see all children within some of the poorest countries in Africa attending school.

Launched in late 2004, Phase 1 of the initiative aimed to provide basic quality education to 4 million children by 2010. By the end of 2008, results showed that the initiative was well on track to achieving its original objectives, including improved learning outcomes resulting from a ‘Child-Friendly School’ approach. 3.6 million children had already benefited in six countries: Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Phase 2 NOW announced.

Due to its success, the program will now continue and expand to benefit children in an additional five countries: Burkina Faso, Mali, Madagascar, Niger and Ethiopia. With donors’ support, and together with UNICEF’s partners, Phase 2 of Schools for Africa is set to reach around 5 million children.

“In sub-Saharan Africa alone, 45 million children do not go to school. Almost half of all out-of-school girls in the world live in Africa. You can help me change that. Support Schools for Africa. Together we can build more schools and equip them sufficiently. Let us together help raise the next generation of educated African leaders. I thank you.” 

Nelson Mandela

What IS UNICEF doing to help?

UNICEF is working with governments, local authorities, communities and other partners to: 

• build and rehabilitate schools,
• create schools that offer a safe and protective environment where children can learn and play,
• ensure schools give children access to clean water and sanitation facilities, including separate latrines for girls and boys,
• provide children with exercise books, pens, other school and sports materials, as well as school furniture,
• train teachers to provide children with quality education and basic life skills,
• ensure children are informed about day-to-day hygiene and HIV prevention.

The ‘Child-Friendly Schools’ approach aims to create conditions that attract children to school, keep them there and support them to learn effectively. ‘Child-Friendly Schools’ offer a safe and nurturing environment for children, encouraging them to attend and giving them the tools they need to break out of the poverty cycle.

Through the Schools for Africa partnership, communities themselves build classrooms from clay bricks, or other local materials. UNICEF provides cement and timber and coordinates the work.  Schools are provided with access to clean running water and latrines. Blackboards, books, pens and benches are also provided. Teachers are trained and children's and youth clubs are organised at the schools to provide information on prevention of HIV/AIDS.

With your help, Schools for Africa will continue constructing and rehabilitating schools and providing education materials in 11 African countries. UNICEF will also continue developing training programs for teachers and strengthening school management and community support for orphan students.

“No other investment has such a lasting effect as the education of children. Children who are educated grow up to be parents with healthier children who have a better chance of survival, and are in turn more likely to go to school, are more self-assured and can more easily assume a profession. Education is also the only effective ‘vaccine’ against HIV/AIDS.”   

Per Engbak, UNICEF Regional Director, Eastern and Southern Africa.

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