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Press releases and news notes
Education
UNICEF Executive Director’s Togo visit focuses on education
TOGO, 2 September 2008 - Ann M. Veneman, on the first ever visit by a UNICEF Executive Director to Togo, promoted the importance of education to advance development.
150,000 children in Niger benefit from Dubai Cares and UNICEF Education Project
DUBAI, 16 July 2008 – Dubai Cares, a charitable organization that aims to provide primary education to one million children in developing countries ...
UNICEF supports Girls' Education Day in Southern Sudan
RUMBEK, 8 July 2008 - On 7 July 2008, Southern Sudan celebrated its annual Girls’ Education Day, an opportunity to acknowledge achievements in girls’ enrollment ...
World experts on girls’ education meet in Kathmandu
KATHMANDU, 11 June 2008 – Education experts representing United Nations agencies, donor countries, national governments and non-governmental...
UNICEF to focus on damaged schools in unreached areas of Myanmar
YANGON, MYANMAR, 28 May 2008 – UNICEF will work with the Ministry of Education to reopen schools in some cyclone-affected areas by 2 June.
UN Envoy hails progress of Afghan schools during Global Action Week for Education
Kabul, 23 April 2008 – The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan (SRSG), Kai Eide today lauded the progress made by Afghanistan’s schools during a week of international action calling for the inclusive education of all school age children around the globe.
Evaluation “ENLACE” 2008: An effort towards quality education in Mexico
MEXICO CITY, 14 APRIL 2008 - UNICEF today participated in the launch of the third round of “ENLACE” a nationwide test of education in Mexico with the participation...
UNICEF and partners launch Girls’ Education Initiative in Nigeria
BAUCHI /NIGERIA, 28 March 2008 - In a concerted effort to address gender disparity in girls’ education in northern Nigeria, UNICEF and partners today launched...
On anniversary of “Go to School” campaign more than a million children benefit from education in Southern Sudan
JUBA, 1 April 2008 - As children in Southern Sudan celebrate the second anniversary of the UNICEF-supported ‘Go to School’ initiative, 1.3 million...
The Government of Japan donates US$4 million to support the rehabilitation of schools and health centres in the Republic of the Congo
BRAZZAVILLE, 24 March 2008 - The Government of Japan has announced a grant of more than US$4 million, or 1.8 billion francs CFA, via UNICEF...
UNICEF sends emergency education supplies to Zambia
LUSAKA, 19 March 2008 – As part of its emergency response to assist flood affected Zambian schools, UNICEF, has flown in 58 schools-in-a-box from its supply division in Copenhagen...
UNICEF-Dubai Cares partnership benefits schoolchildren in Djibouti
DUBAI /NEW YORK, 25 February 2008 – UNICEF and Dubai Cares announced today the launch of new education programmes in Djibouti that will help accelerate access to education...
International Mother Language Day celebrated in Latin America and Caribbean
PANAMA, 21 February 2008 - On the occasion of International Mother Language Day, Nils Kastberg, the Regional Director of UNICEF in Latin America...
UNICEF and Dubai Cares join forces to help provide education for one million children
New York/Dubai, 19 February 2008 – UNICEF and Dubai Cares announced today a new partnership to boost access for children to education.
Shakira visits cyclone affected areas and UNICEF education projects in rural Bangladesh
DHAKA, December 19 2007 - Celebrated international musician and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Shakira visited Bangladesh between December 17 and 19 to see for herself...
UNICEF, One Laptop per Child, Google launch initiative to preserve and share stories around the world
NEW YORK, 7 December 2007 – UNICEF, One Laptop per Child (OLPC) and Google today announced the launch of “Our Stories”...
Back to school campaign in eastern DRC
GOMA, 30 November 2007 – A UNICEF Back to School campaign in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has provided...
Teacher resource centres launched in the Maldives
MALE, Maldives, 26 November 2007 – The Ministry of Education and UNICEF celebrated today the inauguration of 20 teacher resource centres (TRCs) across...
Training reinforces positive behaviour in schools
BRIDGETOWN / BARBADOS, 25 October 2007 - Training sessions for teachers on positive behavioral management has been launched by the Ministry of...
Improving education in Madagascar by distance education programmes
ANTANANARIVO, 28 September 2007 - The very first of a series of four distance education radio programmes, by the Ministry of Education is being aired this week.
UNICEF and Confederation of African Football promote education at African Cup of Nations
ACCRA, 19 October 2007 – UNICEF and the Confederation of African Football will use the power of football during the upcoming African Cup of Nations...
UNICEF launches podcast series on education in emergencies and post-crisis countries
NEW YORK, 22 October 2007 – UNICEF launched today the first in a series of podcast discussions on education in emergencies and post-crisis transition countries...
Training of teachers on how to give psychosocial support in emergencies
TEHRAN, 15 October 2007 – “Training teachers and counselors on how to provide psychosocial support to children and their families before a disaster...
Iraqi children return to school with hope and fear
AMMAN/BAGHDAD/ERBIL, 6 October 2007 - Nearly six million Iraqi children are going back to the classroom this week - a remarkable achievement...
On World Teachers’ Day, UNICEF supports teacher training in Afghanistan
KABUL, 5 October 2007 - To address the shortage of qualified teachers in Afghanistan, UNICEF is supporting the Ministry of Education in training 80 master...
Her Highness Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammed of the UAE underlines every child’s right to education on first visit to Sudan
KHARTOUM/JUBA, 1 October 2007 - On her first visit to Sudan, Her Highness Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammed Al Maktoum of the United Arab Emirates...
UNICEF Armenia calls for more investment in early childhood learning
YEREVAN, 2 October 2007 – Representatives from ministries, parliament, governors, international organizations and members of non-governmental...
UNICEF report card on education warns millions of children left behind in CEE/CIS
GENEVA, 20 September 2007 - UNICEF warned today that education systems in Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States...
UNICEF calls for protection of schools and learning spaces in Timor Leste
DILI / TIMOR-LESTE, 10 August 2007 – UNICEF strongly condemns the destruction and vandalizing of schools, learning spaces and play areas during the ongoing unrest in certain parts of Timor-Leste.
UNICEF welcomes Jordan's offer of education to Iraqi children
AMMAN / GENEVA, 10 August, 2007 - UNICEF welcomes the Government of Jordan's recent announcement that it will open all public schools to Iraqi children. They and their families have...
VIVACELL donates over $100,000 in support of children with disabilities
YEREVAN, 2 July 2007 – VivaCell, Armenia’s leading mobile operator is joining UNICEF and the Ministry of Education and Science to support on-going efforts to include children with disabilities into basic education.
Education under fire
NEW YORK / GENEVA, 29 JUNE 2007 – UNICEF today condemned continuing attacks on schoolchildren and educational facilities in conflict zones around the world. "Attacks on schoolchildren are unacceptable,” said UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman. “Schools must be safe environments for children to learn and thrive.”
Palestinian youth in northern Lebanon head back to school two weeks into refugee camp crisis
BEIRUT, 5 June 2007 – As fighting continues in Nahr El Bared Palestinian refugee camp near Tripoli in north Lebanon, eight school buses are bringing some normalcy into the disrupted lives...
On Global Action Week on Education, millions of children still not in school
NEW YORK, 23 April 2007 – As the world celebrates Global Action Week on Education, UNICEF urges donors and governments to keep their promises on...
School enrolment more than doubles in Southern Sudan as new academic year opens
JUBA/SUDAN, 2 April 2007 – Some 850,000 children are enrolled in school today in Southern Sudan – a major increase from an estimated 343,000 during the war.
Uganda to expand back-to-school campaign to war-affected north
KAMPALA/UGANDA, 28 March 2007 – UNICEF, other United Nations agencies, the Ugandan government and civil society organizations launched a campaign today to...
Millions of Afghan children head back to school
NEW YORK, 21 March 2007 – More than six million children in Afghanistan are heading back to school this week, as UNICEF and partners are distributing essential school supplies and teaching materials around the country to meet their needs.
Rwanda launches campaign to keep girls in school
RUHENGERI/RWANDA, 1 March 2007 – A new campaign promoting gender parity in Rwandan schools was launched today by the First Lady of Rwanda and the Rwandan...
New classroom supplies give welcome boost to Iraq’s schoolchildren
AMMAN, 14 February 2007 – Millions of school bags, books, pencils and other essential learning materials are now being delivered to Iraq’s primary schoolchildren...
Partners meet to discuss education and national reconstruction in Liberia
NEW YORK, 12 February 2007 – Representatives from major bilateral foundations, civil society groups and other education partners will meet in New York this week to...
UNICEF: Interviews available on occasion of Liberia Partners’ Forum
12 February 2007 - Media Advisory
MENA Masters on Child Rights reaches a successful conclusion
AMMAN, 19 December 2006 – A contingent of seventeen students from different backgrounds last week completed the third and final session of a UNICEF-supported Executive Masters Degree in Child Rights in the region...
IKEA, Save the Children and UNICEF joint campaign: ‘A smile is worth so much’
IKEA, UNICEF and Save the Children will join forces for children worldwide again this year, following a successful 2005 effort that raised over €2 million euro for life-saving programs through its “€1 is a fortune. . . A child’s smile is worth so much” campaign.
Zimbabwe’s ground-breaking plan for girls and orphans and vulnerable children’s education
HARARE, 18 October 2006 – The United Nations in collaboration with Government and civil society will launch the ground-breaking National Girls Education Strategic Plan to increase Zimbabwe’s likelihood of achieving universal primary education and ensuring girls stay in school.
Zimbabwe launches ground-breaking national girls education strategic plan
HARARE, 18 October 2006 – The United Nations in collaboration with the government and civil society launched a ground-breaking National Girls Education Strategic Plan to increase Zimbabwe’s likelihood of achieving universal primary education and ensuring girls stay in school.
Lebanon takes a vital step in post-conflict recovery as students return to school
ANSARIEH/GENEVA, 17 October 2006 – Lebanon’s children are returning to public school one month late following a conflict that destroyed schools and disrupted the education, and lives of hundreds of thousands of students.
National Back-to-School campaign launch
13 October 2006 - Media advisory
School kits operation has started in Djibouti for the third consecutive edition
DJIBOUTI, 21 September 2006 – UNICEF, USAID and the Ministry of Education jointly launched the third consecutive school kits distribution in Djibouti City.
UNICEF opens standard-setting schools in Indonesia’s Aceh
BANDA ACEH, 18 September 2006 - The first of 367 permanent schools for Aceh and Nias were officially opened on Monday with support from UNICEF.
Orange, France Telecom and UNICEF unite for girls education in Madagascar
ANTANANARIVO, 7 September 2006 - Orange Madagascar, France Telecom and UNICEF Madagascar signed a US$ 20,000, two-year partnership this morning to promote the education of girls in Madagascar.
Back-to-school campaign in Timor-Leste ready for roll out
DILI, 1 September 2006 – Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Education and Culture and UNICEF will launch a nationwide ‘Back to School’ campaign on Monday 4 September to encourage over 200,000 children to resume formal education at the start of a new school year.
Private Sector comes forward to support girls’ education
YEMEN, 30 August 2006 - Yemen’s national efforts for acceleration of girls education and reduction of the gender gap are getting a major boost with the launch of Business Partnership for Girls Education here on Saturday that marks the beginning of a novel tripartite coalition between government, private sector and UNICEF.
Zahira Primary (Hambantota) Builds Back Better
COLOMBO, 30 August 2006 - More than 500 children, teachers and parents of Zahira Primary School, in Hambantota district, will today be the proud recipients of new primary school buildings.
UNICEF backs government efforts to ensure Lebanese children return to school on time
BEIRUT, 23 August 2006 - International donors have been urged to support the Lebanese government’s efforts to ensure that the destruction and upheaval caused by the recent conflict does not prevent children returning to class for the new academic year.
UNICEF alarmed as attacks on Afghan schools rise
KABUL/GENEVA, 4 August 2006 – UNICEF warned today that schools in Afghanistan are the targets of increasingly dramatic attacks, noting that reported incidents have spread from the south and southeastern region to all of the provinces and include one missle attack, 11 explosions, 50 school burnings and 37 threats against schools and communities.
UNICEF and Ministry of Education provide 10,000 school benches to Liberian schools
MONROVIA, 17 July 2006 – In partnership with the Ministry of Education, UNICEF is constructing 10,000 three-seat benches for distribution to 100 government schools in five counties. A combined total of 30,000 students in Bong, Grand Gedeh, Lofa, Montserrado and Nimba Counties will benefit from this donation.
UNICEF announces $150 million earthquake recovery plan
ISLAMABAD, 11 JULY 2006 – UNICEF will construct 500 permanent schools and around 70 permanent rural health centres in areas devastated by Pakistan’s October 2005 earthquake, as part of its 150 million dollar contribution to the recovery plan for affected areas.
The 2006 ‘All girls to school’ campaign launched in Benin
COTONOU, 15 June, 2006 – Two Ministers, Agnes Van Ardenne, the Dutch Minister for Development Cooperation, and Colette Houeto, Beninese Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, got on the back of a ‘zemidjan’, sporting the yellow shirt of the notorious taxi-motorcycles of Cotonou, blazoned with the logo of the campaign ‘Toutes les filles à l’école’, or ‘All girls to school’.
5th Regional Education Forum opens in Ashgabat
ASHGABAT, 13 June 2006 – Education deputy ministers of the five Central Asian republics and representatives of international organisations including UNICEF, UNESCO, the World Bank and USAID were among the one hundred participants who attended the opening ceremony of the Regional Education Forum (CARK) in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
UNICEF responds with aid for families still displaced in Timor-Leste
DILI, 9 June, 2006 - Around 66,000 people are housed in more than 35 camps in Dili, and the number of camps and internally displaced people changes daily as the crisis in the capital stretches into its third month. The internally displaced population currently represents about 40 per cent of Dili’s population of 170,000.
UNOPS and UNICEF rebuild schools in four counties
MONROVIA, 17 May 2006 – UNICEF and its partner, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), have completed the rehabilitation and refurbishment of 13 government schools in four Liberian counties.
UNOPS & UNICEF rebuild schools in four counties
MONROVIA, Liberia, 17 May 2006 – UNICEF and its partner, UNOPS, the United Nations Office for Project Services, have completed the rehabilitation and refurbishment of 13 government schools in four Liberian counties.
Arab media enthusiasm to promote girls' education enjoys renewed momentum
DUBAI, May 4, 2006 – Media representatives and experts at the Second Arab Regional Media Forum today concluded an extensive review of the situation surrounding Arab girls' access to education and remaining challenges in several countries to ensure sustained enrolment and retention in school.
Second Arab Regional Media Forum on child rights kicks off in Dubai
DUBAI, May 2, 2006 – Arab media professionals, human rights organizations, academia and UN agencies today initiated an in-depth dialogue on the issue of girls' education in the Arab world, with expectations to leverage enhanced commitment from governments, civil society and communities to support girls’ sustained access to quality education.
‘Education for All’ week in Yemen brings teachers on board
SANA’A, 25 April 2006 – During ‘Education for All’ week, Yemen is stepping up efforts to overcome barriers to universal primary education. This year’s theme ‘Every Child Needs a Teacher’ strikes a major chord in Yemen, where the number of teachers lags far behind the actual requirements. Meeting the looming teacher shortage is one of the greatest barriers to education in Yemen, where the number of female teachers is especially short, particularly in rural areas.
Liberia to Launch Girls’ Education National Policy
MONROVIA, 17 April 2006 – The Government of Liberia will launch its National Girls’ Education Policy tomorrow. The policy calls for a collective effort to reach Millennium Development Goal 2: universal primary education for every Liberian child.
Agree on one thing next week, urges UNICEF. Agree on children.
KATHMANDU, 12 April 2006: UNICEF has urged all parties to the conflict to agree on one thing next week: children. “Two things happen next week that are of vital importance to the children of Nepal,” UNICEF’s Representative, Dr. Suomi Sakai, said today.
UN Condemns Attack on a School in Kunar Province
KABUL, 11 April 2006 - I am shocked and saddened to have learned that an attack on a school in Kunar province this morning has resulted in the death of six children and wounded fourteen other people.
Southern Sudan “goes to school”
JUBA, SOUTHERN SUDAN, 1 April 2006 – Hundreds of thousands of children will go to school for the first time in Southern Sudan this year. A massive “Go To School” campaign aims to more than double the number of children in primary school during the course of the school year, which starts on Monday.
UNICEF Applauds School Exams; Opening of Schools in Northern Zone of Côte d'Ivoire
Abidjan/Dakar/Geneva – 28 February 2006 – After more than 2 school years in which primary and high school students in the Northern Zone of Côte d'Ivoire have not been able to be complete their schooling with official exams at 3 key academic levels – certificate of primary school, certificate of the first cycle of the high school and the final certificate of high school (the so called baccalaureat) - the Government of Côte d'Ivoire has decided to organize these 3 exams in the Northern Zone. This will allow more than 80,000 students to write their exams and continue with their education.
Second year of ‘One Schoolbag For Every Primary School Student’ in Djibouti sees dramatic increase in school enrollment figures
Djibouti, 25 October 2005 - For the second consecutive year, 49,000 school children in Djibouti received school kits aimed at ensuring every child has the quality school materials they need.
Stalled peace negotiations in Sri Lanka harm children
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA, 9 September 2004 – A report released today by UNICEF says that the stalled peace talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is a major impediment to assisting children affected by the country’s two-decade long war.
Against odds, Zimbabweans keep their children in school
HARARE 23 August – Against great odds, Zimbabwean parents and caregivers are keeping their children in school, and in some cases increasing national enrolment, UNICEF said today. At the same time, the UN Children’s Fund called on international support for Zimbabweans to ensure this positive culture does not disappear in the face of harsh economic realities.
Efforts to end child labour must focus on education
NEW YORK/GENEVA, 10 June 2005 – Ensuring access to quality basic education is critical for removing children from hazardous labour, UNICEF said today.
Central Asian Countries Agree to Improve Quality and Access to Education by 2015
Dushanbe, 9 June, 2005 – Concluding a 3-day meeting in Warzob, delegates from five Central Asian countries committed to speeding up the common education reform process in each country in the face of limited resources for investment in the education sector.
UNICEF supplies 200 new temporary school buildings to Aceh
BANDA ACEH, INDONESIA, 26 May 2005 - UNICEF is building two hundred temporary primary schools in the areas of Aceh worst affected by the tsunami. The buildings would cost $US 2.3 million, or about $11,500 each and were designed to be used while permanent classrooms were being constructed.
UNICEF to support US $90 million in rebuilding tsunami affected schools
JAKARTA, May 4, 2005 - UNICEF will support the Indonesian Government through Ministry of National Education by allocating US $90 million to rebuild 300 destroyed primary schools and repair another 200 damaged schools in the tsunami devastated province of Aceh as well as Nias island in North Sumatra province.
UNICEF condemns bombings of schools in Nepal
KATHMANDU, 19 April 2005 - UNICEF has condemned the recent bombings of private schools in Nepal. The bombings follow a call by the student wing of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) for all private schools to close indefinitely from April 15, the start of the new school year.
Despite gains in girls' education worldwide, far too many still missing out
GENEVA/NEW YORK, 18 April 2005 – More children than ever are going to school, in part because more girls are going to school: That’s the good news from UNICEF’s latest Progress for Children report, focusing on gender parity in primary school attendance.
Norway provides major boost to education in Madagascar
Antananarivo, Madagascar, 15 April 2005 - At a signing ceremony yesterday in the presence of the Ministry of Education and UNICEF, the Government of Norway donated US$ 6 million to UNICEF to improve the quality of primary schooling in this country.
UNICEF lauds Somali leader’s pledge to pay primary school teachers
BOSSASO, Northeast Somalia, 6 April 2005 - UNICEF has praised a pledge by the President of Puntland (Northeast Somalia) Mohamud Muse Hirsi “Adde” to inaugurate salary payments for primary school teachers.
UNICEF appeals for fear to be banished from Nepal’s classrooms
NEW YORK, KATHMANDU, GENEVA, 1 April, 2005 – The start of the new school year in Nepal should be a time for all parties involved in the conflict to ensure that violence and fear stay out of the classroom, UNICEF’s Regional Director for South Asia has urged.
Afghan new year heralds return to school for millions
KABUL, 17 March 2005 – As Afghanistan prepares for its New Year celebrations this weekend, millions of children will also be readying themselves for the start of another academic year, scheduled to begin on 22 March.
Gaza students receive boost to support their commitment to education
GAZA CITY, 08 February 2005 -- About 10,000 children in impoverished areas in the Gaza Strip today received a boost in the form of educational supplies to support their commitment to education.
EC and UNICEF join hands to support education in Somalia
NAIROBI, 31 January 2005 – Education prospects for Somali children are to benefit from a European Commission grant of 4.5 million euros, UNICEF Somalia Representative, Jesper Morch, said today following the signing of an agreement between the two bodies.
UNICEF preparing for surge in enrolment in southern Sudan
KHARTOUM / RUMBEK, 27 January 2005 – Building on the groundswell of hope that is being felt throughout Sudan, Africa’s largest country, UNICEF is stockpiling tents and classroom materials, training teachers, building schools and assisting education officials to enroll thousands more children in the first academic year of the post-war period.
Back to school in the Maldives
MALE, MALDIVES, 25 January 2005 - Only two weeks after the normal start date for the academic year all schoolchildren are today back in school in the Maldives Islands.
UNICEF applauds UK pledge of £1.4 billion to educate girls in developing countries
LONDON, 26 January 2005 - UNICEF today thanked the United Kingdom for its visionary commitment to the education of girls in developing countries with its strategy to advance the work that one day will give all children a basic education.
Lack of safe water and sanitation in schools jeopardizes quality education
OXFORD, 24 January 2005 – As the drive continues to bring safe water and sanitation to schoolchildren in the tsunami zone, UNICEF warned that over half of all schools worldwide lack these basic facilities, jeopardizing the health and education of millions of schoolchildren.
Hundreds of schools destroyed by tsunami
NEW YORK, 14 January 2005 – Children in some of the areas affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami began returning to school this week even though the disaster destroyed or damaged over one thousand schools and killed thousands of teachers.
Students from Madagascar mobilize funds for tsunami survivors
ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR, January 6, 2005 - Some thirty students from a local school in the nation’s capital cramped into the UNICEF Representative’s Office in Antananarivo today to present funds they had donated and collected from other students to help child survivors of the Asian Tsunami Disaster.
Hundred of schools damaged in the Maldives
MALE, MALDIVES, 31 December 2004 - Hundreds of schools in the Maldives are now known to have been damaged by the Asian tsunami that struck the archipelago.
For Afghan children, learning continues throughout winter vacation
KABUL, 23 December 2004 – While Afghanistan’s formal schools are mostly closed for the winter, and most children in the industrialized world are also enjoying a vacation, nearly 50,000 students in six provinces of Afghanistan are continuing to benefit from education, through a community-based initiative led by the Afghan Ministry of Education with support from UNICEF.
Healing Beslan's wounds
GENEVA, 16 November, 2004. UNICEF has announced plans for a new programme to promote peace and tolerance across the troubled North Caucasus.
Unity in Belize: parties endorse plan for kids
BELIZE CITY, 7 September 2004 - The Prime Minister Hon. Said Musa and the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Dean Barrow endorsed a National Plan of Action for Children and Adolescents, 2004-2015 (NPA) during a brief ceremony at the Radisson Fort George in Belize City at 8:00am today.
More than one million Palestinian children return to school
JERUSALEM, 6 September 2004 - Some 1.2 million children returned to school last week in the West Bank and Gaza Strip after a summer break.
Sir Roger Moore in Mexico City to support UNICEF's work for education of all children
MEXICO CITY, 28 January 2004 – British Airways Chairman Lord Marshall was joined by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Sir Roger Moore in Mexico City today for the announcement of a pledge of £150,000 to support UNICEF’s work for the education for all children in the city. Raised through the successful Change for Good partnership between British Airways and UNICEF, this donation brings the total amount Change for Good has contributed to UNICEF´s work for children in Mexico City to £1 million since 1994.
The promise of Liberia's back-to-school effort
MONROVIA/NEW YORK/GENEVA, 26 September 2003 - UNICEF today urged the war-weary people of Liberia to fully support the campaign to return Liberian children to school.
UNICEF issues global challenge to world leaders
JOHANNESBURG/NEW YORK/GENEVA, 30 August 2002 - UNICEF today issued a bold challenge to world leaders attending the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg. Noting that access to clean water can save the lives of millions of children, UNICEF's Executive Director, Carol Bellamy, called on leaders to ensure that every school, in every corner of the world, be equipped with clean water and separate sanitary facilities for boys and girls over the course of the next decade.
In Afghanistan, children back to school in droves, survey shows
Thursday, 11 July 2002 -- Ongoing results received from the nationwide assessment of learning spaces, being jointly conducted by the Afghanistan Ministry of Education and UNICEF, is indicating that there has been a massive return of children - both boys and girls - to schools around the country.
First supplies distributed to Kabul schools
Kabul, 12 March 2002: The first student and classroom materials for Kabul schoolchildren began to roll out of the capital's distribution centre Monday, as the nationwide "Back to School" campaign moved up a gear this week. The campaign, which is led by the Afghan Interim Administration and supported by UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, aims to equip up more than 1.5 million primary school age children in over 4,000 schools and other learning environments by the start of the new school year on 23 March.
Burundi's children back to school after years of conflict
BUJUMBURA, 14 October, 2004- A “Back to school” campaign was launched today by the Government of Burundi supported by UNICEF in collaboration with other UN agencies. The objective is to boost the primary school enrolment in Burundi where the net school enrolment rate only reaches 56 per cent. The campaign is targeting approximately 440,000 children through the distribution of 350 metric tonns basic school materials.
UNICEF concerned over school crisis in Moldova
Chisinau, July 28, 2004 - UNICEF Moldova expresses its serious concern over the actions taken against the schools in Tiraspol, Bender and Ribnita, which use Latin script and the attempts to close these schools by force.
UNICEF and Stora Enso in partnership to promote basic education for all
LONDON, 6 April 2004 – UNICEF and Stora Enso, the global forest products company, today entered into a five-year agreement to help UNICEF achieve quality basic education for children everywhere. With annual cash contributions and voluntary initiatives, Stora Enso intends to contribute USD 2.5 million during the five-year period.
UNICEF celebrates Afghanistan's 'million girl mark'
KABUL/GENEVA/NEW YORK, 2 October 2003 - UNICEF said today the entrance of more than 1 million girls into the Afghan school system since the fall of the Taliban is “a testament to the courage and wisdom of the Afghan people, and the generosity of the international community.”
In devastated Bam, children head back to school
BAM, 19 January 2004 – Less than one month after the devastating earthquake that destroyed much of the southern Iranian city of Bam, the first children will return to a Ministry of Education school today. The first of 26 temporary schools is scheduled to open in the city’s Zone 10, catering for up to 50 primary school children in an inflatable tent provided by UNICEF. The tent was erected late yesterday evening by UNICEF and Department of Education staff assisted by a group of willing students, eager to return to learning. More tents will be provided to this location Monday to help increase capacity for both primary and secondary school children in the coming days.
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Harry Belafonte to visit Kenya and Senegal
MEDIA ADVISORY, 12 February 2004 - In Kenya, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Harry Belafonte will assess progress in education one year after the Kenya government eliminated primary school fees. He will visit a Nairobi primary school and meet with government and business leaders to discuss the achievements since school fees were abolished and highlight the challenges that remain, particularly the schooling and care of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS and the need to get more girls enrolled in school. On Friday, February 20, Harry will travel to Senegal for a one-week visit during which he will attend a regional conference on birth registration and stress the importance of this issue for protecting the rights of children.
UNICEF Executive Director praises Ecuador for increased investment in children
QUITO, ECUADOR, 5 August 2003 – UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy today applauded the commitment of Ecuador’s government to improving children’s lives through increased social spending, but said that more investment is necessary to reach all children with basic services.
Thousands of Palestinian children denied access to schools
JERUSALEM, 2 October 2002 - A month into the Palestinian school year, the UNICEF Special Representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Pierre Poupard, today expressed serious concern over the number of Palestinian children being prevented from attending school by Israel-imposed restrictions.
Half a million kids go back to school in Afghanistan
KABUL, 9 September 2004 – As millions of schoolchildren across the world return to the classroom this week, an anticipated half a million boys and girls from the southern and eastern provinces of Afghanistan will also be going back to study, as the second annual phase of the country’s Back to School campaign begins.
More than one million children get “school kits” in Madagascar
ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR, 7 September 2004 – Amidst much fan fare, smiles and camera flashes, first-time school goers in the nation’s capital received their own "school kit" at a ceremony attended by numerous officials from the Ministry of Education as well as UNICEF’s Chief of Education.
After war, it’s Back-to-School for Liberian children
GENEVA/NEW YORK/MONROVIA, 3 November 2003 - UNICEF today said that it expects hundreds of thousands of children to return to studies during Liberia’s Back-to-School campaign – thousands of them for the first time in their lives.
UNICEF assists schools affected by recent violence in Thailand
BANGKOK, May 3 – UNICEF is sending school supplies to the three southern provinces in Thailand affected by the recent violence. since January 2004, an estimated 30 schools have been destroyed in southern Thailand, affecting some 5,000 students. Teachers have been intimidated and there is a fear that some schools may not reopen after the current holiday due to security considerations, according to UNICEF.
New year of 'Back to School' for millions of Afghan children
KABUL, 18 March 2004 – Immediately following the country’s New Year festivities this weekend, up to 5.5 million school children are expected to return to their classrooms in Afghanistan, as the nation prepares for Back to School celebrations on Sunday 21 March.
UNICEF provides out of school youth with new hope
ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR, 12 August 2004 - At a “graduation” ceremony for 258 out-of-school youth, UNICEF and the Ministry of Education praised the joint initiative that has helped over 400 young people, over the course of the past year; attain both basic education and vocational skills.
Schools open again, but where are the children?
NEW YORK, 16 September 2003 – Over the last two weeks schools around the world have opened their doors for the start of the new school year, but UNICEF said today that recent household surveys show that some 123 million children are currently being left out – perhaps never to see the inside of a classroom.
Massive teacher training to send 1 million Angolan children back to school
LUANDA/GENEVA/ NEW YORK, 24 OCTOBER 2003 – Angola will take one of its strongest peacetime strides next week when the first stage of the country’s massive teacher training is launched.
One million go back to school in Occupied Palestinian Territory
Jerusalem, 01 September 2003 - About one million students returned to school today in the West Bank and Gaza Strip after a summer break during a “Back to School” campaign supported by UNICEF.
Afghanistan's schools triumphantly open; UNICEF calls it 'reminder to all of us'
KABUL / GENEVA / NEW YORK, 23 March 2002 - The United Nations Children's Fund today lauded the Afghan Interim Administration for its "relentless commitment to education," as 3,000 schools across Afghanistan threw open their doors to more than 1.5 million girls and boys, many of whom were entering a formal classroom for the first time in six years.
UNICEF starts distribution of 40,000 school bags in Gaza Strip
GAZA CITY, October 19, 2004 - UNICEF today began distribution of more than 40,000 school bags to children in the Gaza Strip, starting with schools damaged by the recent military incursions into the North.
UNICEF lauds Iraqi "commonsense" push to return to school
Friday, 25 April 2003 -Iraqi children must be allowed to resume their schooling without delay, the Executive Director of UNICEF, Carol Bellamy, said today. The UNICEF chief praised what she called "the innate wisdom" of Iraqi parents and educators who are pushing for the prompt resumption of classes throughout Iraq. They must be "supported, encouraged, lauded, and imitated" for the speed with which children have already begun to return to school throughout the country. (Press release)
One month after hurricane, Grenadian children back in school
ST.GEORGE'S PARISH, GRENADA/NEW YORK/ BRIDGETOWN BARBADOS, 22 October 2004 – UNICEF today applauded the government of Grenada as thousands of children began returning to school just one month after Hurricane Ivan battered the island nation.
Afghan school supply operation moves into top gear
KABUL, 9 March 2003 - With just two weeks to go before schools in Afghanistan throw open their doors for another full year of education, the Afghan Ministry of Education - supported by UNICEF - is redoubling efforts to ensure that stationery and teaching supplies reach children and teachers in time for the first day of school. (News Note)
Huge inequality in educational achievement in every rich nation
Florence, 26 November - A new report from UNICEF provides the first "big picture" comparison of the performance of schools in the world's rich industrialized nations.
FIFA 2003 Women's World Cup to champion girls' education
NEW YORK, 19 September 2003 - UNICEF today hailed the start of the FIFA 2003 Women's World Cup, this year dedicated to Go Girls! Education for Every Child, UNICEF's campaign to rally support and resources to get more girls into school.
Back to school program underway in Liberia to reach 750,000 children
MONROVIA, 23 October 2003 – Distribution of the first batch of 4,662 School-in-the-box kits is set to begin today for 372,960 Liberian children, initially among six counties: Montserrado, Bomi, Bong, Margibi, Grand Bassa and Margibi. The Back to School supplies, valued at US$1.3M, are being transported from the Free Port of Monrovia to Careysburg and Todee children.
Two years of progress for Afghan women and children
KABUL, 20 November 2003, – Two years since the fall of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, UNICEF this week highlights some of the progress that has been made for the country’s women and children since the start of the reconstruction process.
UNICEF urges citizen watchdog for Haitian aid
Washington/Geneva/New York, 16 July 2004 – UNICEF said today that a citizen watchdog is the best way to support accountable reconstruction in Haiti.
Angola's biggest-ever education campaign introduces 250,000 children back to school
LUANDA, 6 February 2003 - On Monday 10 February, the biggest education campaign in Angola's history takes its most important step when almost 250,000 Angolan children return to school. The size and scope of 'Back to School' underlines the fact that education is being unswervingly endorsed as the engine to drive Angola's long-term recovery. (News Note)
Helping Iraq's children get back to school
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, 7 September 2004 - The near US$2 million raised so far as a result of the Back to School telethon, (Dubai TV, September 3) will provide timely and essential support to help rebuild Iraq’s devastated schools.
UNICEF launches teacher training program in Bam
BAM, 3 March 2004 - In a joint effort with the Iranian Ministries of Health and Education, UNICEF today launched a Plan of Action consisting of a comprehensive school reinsertion strategy including a teacher training programme aimed at building capacity for a total 1,500 teachers in the earthquake-stricken city of Bam, southeast Iran.
Japan gives major boost to education in Afghanistan
TOKYO / GENEVA / NEW YORK, 26 July - The Japanese Government has donated $10.8 million for education programmes for displaced children returning to their villages and refugee children returning to Afghanistan, UNICEF announced today, saying the funds were urgently needed to keep up with the large numbers of children seeking to resume learning.
Is the world walking away from universal education?
GENEVA/NEW YORK, 6 November 2003 – Reacting to a global monitoring report that shows most countries are not on track to meet a 2005 goal for gender parity in education, UNICEF said today that it was not too late for governments to launch “credible efforts” to get more girls into school.
Next priority for children of Beslan: restore their faith in schooling
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 16 September, 2004 – “The next priority for the children of Beslan must be to restore their faith in schooling” says Carel de Rooy, UNICEF Representative in the Russian Federation.
Successful partnerships drive development in Angola
LUANDA-GENEVA 23 June 2003 – Just 15 months after a cease-fire ended three decades of devastating civil war, Angola has taken two significant steps on its long road to recovery. Campaigns in health and education, backed by UNICEF and supported by all levels of Government, are proving vital in restarting the development of social services in Angola. (Press Release)
School exams: A real test for security in Iraq
17 June 2003 - In Iraq, getting all children back to school continues to be the goal that UNICEF and its partners strive for. However, UNICEF is deeply concerned by the lack of security prevailing in most parts of the country. (News note)
Tunisia helps restore normalcy among Palestinian school children
TUNIS/RAMALLAH, 3 November 2004 – A Tunisian non-governmental organization ‘Children First’ is giving US 65,000 to UNICEF in support of emergency education activities for Palestinian children in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT).
Executive Director of UNICEF says girls in South Asia “cannot afford to wait”
Wednesday, 21 May 2003– UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy today arrived in Pakistan, carrying a strong message that until girls’ education becomes an urgent priority in South Asia, the region’s economic and social development will be hindered.Bellamy is in Pakistan for a three-day visit to concentrate attention on education in the region, as part of a global campaign to scale up efforts to achieve the Education for All (EFA) goals. (Press release)
