Official Launching of the 2007 "Back To School" CampaignStatement by Mr. Youssouf Oomar, Resident Representative Abidjan, 22 November 2007 • Honourable Minister of Education, UNICEF is once again pleased with the mark of confidence that the European Union has placed in it for the past three years so that children can regain their right to education, the non-respect of which cannot be justified by the crisis situation. The Ministry of Education understood it so well that it has always systematically initiated alternative actions to provide children with basic education, often under unfavourable conditions. This was the case with recreational activities organized with the support of UNICEF immediately after the crisis broke out in 2002-2003; the organization of classes with voluntary teachers, campaigns to encourage children to return to school in 2005, 2006 and the organization of school exams in the CNW zones. This year, the third edition of the campaign started in the context of single reopening date, which in itself constitutes a major achievement of the national effort to restore a single educational system for all children of Côte d’Ivoire. UNICEF, which has the privilege of leading the Education Sectoral Group made up of all technical and financial partners of the Education sector, would like to take this opportunity to commend the efforts and availability of the Government as well as the support that all partners are providing to the Government and communities to give children education. As we always say, education is the best investment for a family and, beyond that, for a nation. Honourable Minister, in your solemn Declaration at the opening of the academic year on 16 September 2007, you rightly emphasized the key mission of the school by placing this new academic year under the sign of social cohesion. We congratulate you for that. Together, we shall pursue this mission. You also, Honourable Minister, drew attention to the fact that the 2007 academic year is the first after the celebration, last 30 July, of the Peace Flame in Bouaké. This is quite symbolic: the symbol of the school as the engine of reconciliation and melting pot of national unity. That is why, to ensure the return of all children, both girls and boys, to school, Yes ! Honourable Minister, with the support of quality partners like the European Union, we pledge to strive for quality basic education, together with you, in order to consolidate the achievements of our joint efforts. Turning to the European Union, particularly to Michel Arrion and his team, I am pleased to emphasize that their support has enabled us to exceed the expected results: indeed, while our objective for 2005 in the target regions was to get 250,000 children to return to school, 335,663 actually went back to school in these zones. In 2006, our expectations were also largely exceeded, as 686,000 pupils returned to school, compared to an estimation of 450,000. To the development partners, my colleagues of the United Nations System and our friends, national and international NGOs, I would like to express my gratitude for their constant support, which has enabled us to achieve these results, and which we would like to see progressing constantly. For the 2007 edition, which starts today, we are working for the return and retention in school of at least 830,000 children. But I can assure you that this estimate will be exceeded. The current campaign, like the previous ones, will help to provide more than 500,000 children with basic school kits, 10,000 teachers with teaching materials and 1,667 schools with sports equipment. Honourable Minister, Distinguished Guests, This campaign is an appeal to you all to ensure the return and retention of children in school. This can only be achieved if all the actors identified get involved in the exercise and fully play their part. This will ensure that all children of primary school age have access to and/or remain in school, the only place they should be. Let me take this opportunity to remind the communities and parents that it is their responsibility and duty to educate their daughters as well. We should fully invest in the renewed confidence to provide free, protected and convivial education for both girls and boys. That is how we can guarantee for all the children of Côte d’Ivoire a better life and above all, a world fit for children. Thank you.
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