Journeys to class amidst conflict affecting learning - UNICEF

Children need a safe school environment to study

Unsafe schools, absent teachers and dangerous journeys to class are among the destructive ways that conflict is impacting the learning prospects of young Africans according to a new UNICEF survey carried out in Uganda and three other African countries.

Based on polling among 128,000 young people in Uganda, Central African Republic (CAR), Chad and Nigeria, the survey findings were presented at a special dialogue event on Tuesday in Brussels ahead of the forthcoming African Union - EU Summit.

The event was organised by UNICEF and the European Commission Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations.

Disruption to education as a result of conflict was reported by up to 76% of survey respondents in Nigeria and 89% in northern Uganda.

Schools that had been forced to shut down or been damaged were the factor cited by almost 50% of respondents overall. A lack of teachers and unsafe journeys to school were the other main ways respondents said violence had undermined their opportunities to learn.

Similar results were registered in CAR where an estimated 80% of the country is under the control of armed groups. Over half of respondents said that while education was vital in providing them with skills and opportunities, learning also played a vital role in promoting peace.

"This is a strong message from young Africans that helps explain why keeping schools open and safe even in times of conflict and emergency is absolutely critical to youth and to society as a whole.

"This is why the EU has become a global leader in supporting education in emergencies," Christos Stylianides EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management said.

Adding: "We have continuously been increasing our support in that respect, making the biggest investment we can in our common future."

Youth representatives at the Brussels meeting said the call for more resources to be dedicated to education should be heard loud and clear at the African Union - EU summit, which will be held in Cote D'Ivoire on November 29, under the theme of "investing in youth."

Judith Sankagui, 19, said children in Central African Republic need support "if they are to contribute like those in other countries to the future of this planet."

"What this survey shows is that conflict is blighting the lives and hopes of an enormous number of young Africans, it demonstrates that for those same youth, the issues of education and peace are tied closely together" Mohamed Malick Fall UNICEF Nigeria Representative said.

The survey underlined the importance youth in Africa attach to the role of technology in their education.

96% of respondents agreed that technology could support their learning prospects.

"Young people in Africa represent so much dormant potential, they represent the future but to secure that future investment is needed" said a youth from Nigeria.