ALEBTONG – The Netherlands and the other European Union [ EU ] Member States, have committed Euro 800 million to fight sexual and gender-based violence, promote reproductive health and education as human rights in Uganda.
Dr. Karin Boven, the Netherlands Ambassador to Uganda disclosed the development during the celebration of International World Population Day held in Alebtong district on Tuesday under the theme, “Prioritise free education, prevent school dropout and improve household income”.
Other priority areas in the country where the EU is putting in money include social protection and water, sanitation and hygiene [WASH] according to Judith Adokorac, a policy officer in the Netherlands Embassy.
She said Uganda has made progress in advancing education though it is facing challenges in offering quality and affordable learning and eradicating the challenge of school dropouts.
“I want to confirm the commitment of the EU member state towards supporting and ending school dropout but also more broadly creating the young generation which can talk about socio-economic transformation,” she said.
She noted that education enables people to get gainful employment opportunities and empowers young people to participate in decision-making to build a better future.
The Alebtong district LC5 chairperson, David Kennedy Odongo while speaking at the celebrations to mark World Population Day, said Lango Sub-region is grappling with the challenges of teenage pregnancy.
He said statistics show that in 2020, the district had 2,222 teenage pregnancies, in 2021, they were 2,907, and 2,504 in 2022. From January to May 2023, the cases of teenage pregnancies were 1,663 in the district.
Vice President Jessica Alupo represented President Yoweri Museveni at the celebrations held at Alebtong Boma Ground.
Museveni, in a speech read for him by Alupo, said Universal Primary [UPE] and Universal Secondary Education [UPE] have had a positive impact on education.
He said Uganda`s literacy rate now stands at 75 percent from 43 percent in 1986, which he said is a great achievement though there is a need to bridge the skills gap.
https://thecooperator.news/higher-education-critical-in-africas-economic-growth-says-uneca-report/
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