Invest in people, prioritize education
Uchechi Edeh is Face of Education 2023 of Peter Mbah Foundation
Uchechi has multiple vulnerability factor: A girl. Congenital disability. From low socioeconomic background. Lives in a rural community.
After her primary Education the parents decided not to register her into secondary school because of her disability and the financial strain of the family. When it was brought to our notice, we awarded Uchechi full scholarship.
Uchechi is an extraordinarily bright child, social, focused and an eager learner.
She is for these reasons she is our Face of Education 2023.
Education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development.
Without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all, countries will not succeed in achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of children, youth and adults behind.
Today, 244 million children and youth are out of school, and 771 million adults are illiterate. Their right to education is being violated and it is unacceptable. It’s time to transform education.
The fifth International Day of Education is celebrated on 24 January 2023 under the theme “to invest in people, prioritize education”. Education must be prioritized to accelerate progress towards all the Sustainable Development Goals against the backdrop of a global recession, growing inequalities and the climate crisis. Each of us has a duty to promote quality education; imparting education is not restricted to institutions. Access to education, which the most of us probably take for granted, may raise many out of poverty and pave the way for a prosperous future.
UNESCO is dedicating this year’s International Day to girls and women in Afghanistan who have been deprived of their right to education. It is calling for the immediate lifting of the ban restricting their access to education.