Events

Press Release
Global learning crisis is costing $129 billion a year
Crisis will affect generations of children without action to boost teaching, report warns.

Strict embargo until 29 January 00.01 GMT:
The 11th Education for All Global Monitoring Report reveals that a global learning crisis is costing governments $129 billion a year. Ten per cent of global spending on primary education is being lost on poor quality education that is failing to ensure that children learn. This situation leaves one in four young people in poor countries unable to read a single sentence. The Report concludes that good teachers are the key to improvement and calls on governments to provide the best in the profession to those who need them most.
This year’s Report, Teaching and learning: Achieving quality for all, warns that without attracting and adequately training enough teachers the learning crisis will last for several generations and hit the disadvantaged hardest. In many sub-Saharan African countries, for example, the Report reveals that only one in five of the poorest children reach the end of primary school having learnt the basics in reading and mathematics.
Poor quality education is leaving a legacy of illiteracy more widespread than previously believed. Around 175 million young people in poor countries – equivalent to around one quarter of the youth population – cannot read all or part of a sentence, affecting one third of young women in South and West Asia. On current trends, the Report projects that it will take until 2072 for all the poorest young women in developing countries to be literate; and possibly until the next century for all girls from the poorest families in sub-Saharan Africa to finish lower secondary school.
In a third of countries analysed by the Report, less than three-quarters of existing primary school teachers are trained to national standards. In West Africa, where few children are learning the basics, teachers on temporary contracts with low pay and little formal training make up more than half of the teaching force.
“Teachers have the future of this generation in their hands,” said UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova. “We need 5.2 million teachers to be recruited by 2015, and we need to work harder to support them in providing children with their right to a universal, free and quality education. We must also make sure that there is an explicit commitment to equity in new global education goals set after 2015, with indicators tracking the progress of the marginalized so that no one is left behind.”
The Report calculates that the cost of 250 million children around the world not learning the basics translates into a loss of an estimated $129 billion. In total, 37 countries are losing at least half the amount they spend on primary education because children are not learning. By contrast, the Report shows that ensuring an equal, quality education for all can generate huge economic rewards, increasing a country’s gross domestic product per capita by 23 per cent over 40 years.
Even in high-income countries, education systems are failing significant minorities. In New Zealand, while almost all students from rich households achieved minimum standards in grades 4 and 8, only two-thirds of poor students did. Immigrants in rich countries are also left behind: in France, for example, fewer than 60 per cent of immigrants have reached the minimum benchmark in reading.
The Report shows that to achieve good quality education for all, governments must provide enough trained teachers, and focus their teacher policies on meeting the needs of the disadvantaged. This means attracting the best candidates into teaching; giving them relevant training; deploying them within countries to areas where they are needed most; and offering them incentives to make a long-term commitment to teaching. The Report also highlights the need to address gender-based violence in schools, a major barrier to quality and equality in education. It underscores the importance of curriculum and assessment strategies to promote inclusion and improve learning.
Pauline Rose, the director of the EFA Global Monitoring Report, said: “What’s the point in an education if children emerge after years in school without the skills they need? The huge numbers of illiterate children and young people mean it is crucial that equality in access and learning be placed at the heart of future education goals. New goals after 2015 must make sure every child is not only in school, but learning what they need to learn.”
The Report makes the following recommendations:
1. New education goals after 2015 must include an explicit commitment to equity so that every child has an equal chance of an education. New goals need clear, measurable targets with indicators that will track the progress of the most disadvantaged.
2. New goals after 2015 must ensure that every child is in school and learning the basics. Children do not only have the right to be in school, but also to learn while there, and to emerge with the skills they need to find secure, well-paid work.
3. Ensure the best teachers reach the learners who need them most. National education plans must include an explicit commitment to reaching the marginalized. Teachers should be recruited locally, or have similar backgrounds to disadvantaged learners. Every teacher needs pre- and in-service training on ways to target support to disadvantaged children. Incentives must be provided to ensure the best teachers work in remote, under-served areas. Governments must work to retain their best teachers, providing pay that meets at least their basic needs, good working conditions and a career path.

For interviews, photos, b-roll, pre-edited videos, quotes or case studies of teachers or children please contact:
Kate Redman : k.redman@unesco.org 0033 6 71 78 62 34
Sue Williams: s.williams@unesco.org 0033 1 45 68 17 06 or 0033 6 15 92 93 62

Notes to Editors:
Developed by an independent team and published by UNESCO, the Education for All Global Monitoring Report is an authoritative reference that aims to inform, influence and sustain genuine commitment towards Education for All.
@EFAReport / GMR Facebook Web: http://www.efareport.unesco.org | World Education Blog: http://efareport.wordpress.com

The global GMR launch in Addis Ababa is held in cooperation with the Government of
Ethiopia and the African Union Commission.

Press Release Nº31/22nd AU SUMMIT

AUC Chairperson in audience with US Deputy of State

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 30 January, 2014:The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. NkosazanaDlaminiZumaon Thursday 30 January 2014, granted audience to US Deputy Secretary of State, William Burns who was heading the US delegationto the 22nd Assembly of Heads of State and Government holding in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 30-31 January 2014.

The AU Commission Chairperson and the Deputy Secretary of State discussed issues of mutual interest aimed at strengthening their cooperation.

Dr. DlaminiZumahighlighted investment in people, industrialisation, intra-African trade, and others, as important areas in which US partnership with Africa would help the continentto move forward. She underscored the importance of African partners taking the continent’s priority areas into consideration.

Mr Burns concurred that these are areas in which President Obama takes keen interest in working with Africa to unleash its potential. He noted that these areas would be discussed further in a Summit to be held in August, to which President Obama is inviting African leaders. The US, he said, looks forward to working with the AU on peace and security in South Sudan, Central African Republic and other areas.

The AUC Chairperson also expressed gratitude to the US for its support inthe airlifting of Rwandan soldiers to support the AU peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic.

JEE/wzm

For further information contact
Directorateof Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
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http://www.au.int

MEDIA ADVISORY

NEPAD Heads of State Summit

WHAT: Media is invited to attend the official opening of NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC) Summit.
DATE: Wednesday January 29, 2014
TIME: 09:00
WHERE: Medium Conference Hall – Ground Floor of in the new AU
BACKGROUND: Twenty African leaders who make up the membership of the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee - HSGOC will meet I n the Ethiopian Capital Addis Ababa ahead of the AU Summit. The HSGOC provides leadership to the NEPAD process and sets policies, priorities and the programmes of action.
There will be media briefing after the HSGOC Summit by NEPAD’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Ibrahim Mayaki outside the hall of the HSGOC meeting
For Badges for the HSGOC and media interview please contact:
Maureen Nkandu – Head of NEPAD Communications in Room G09 on the ground floor
Phone: +251 927348384
Email: maureenn@nepad.org

MEDIA ADVISORY

AFRICAN UNION AND IFRC LAUNCH OF THE WORLD DISASTER REPORT
“Technology and the Future of Humanitarian Aid”

29 January, 2014, AUC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The Department of Political Affairs in collaboration with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) will be organizing a Launch of the World Disaster Report.

Date Wednesday, 29 January, 2014

Time 10:00 – 12:00 noon, followed by cocktail reception

Venue Small Conference 3, New Conference Centre, AUC, Addis Ababa Ethiopia

Background Ninety per cent of lives saved after disasters are saved by local people, but in much of the world these ‘first responders’ have little or no access to life-saving information and technologies such as early warning systems and mobile phones. New technologies offer many opportunities, but access to technology is deeply unequal. This lack of access has a major impact on people’s ability to prepare for, survive and recover from disasters.
Purpose Bridging the digital divide is critical for the scale and quality of the future of humanitarian action: humanitarian organizations, governments and the private sector must invest in building this bridge. This joint launch reinforces the call to action for governments to take decisive steps in addressing the digital divide in Africa.

JOURNALISTS ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT

Contact Information

Katherine Mueller/IFRC Communications Manager, Africa /+251 930 03 3413 / katherine.mueller@ifrc.org
Tankou Azza Esther | Information and Communication Directorate | AUC | (251) 11 551 77 00 | YambouE@africa-union.org

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network, reaching 150 mil¬lion people each year through its 189 member National Societies. Together, the IFRC acts before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. It does so with impartiality as to nationality, race, gender, religious beliefs, class and political opinions. For more information, please visit www.ifrc.org

For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@africa-union.org I Web Site www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Follow us
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommission

Learn more at:
http://www.au.int

NVITATION

PRESS BRIEFING OF PRESIDENT PIERRE BUYOYA
AU HIGH REPRESENTATIVE FOR MALI AND THE SAHEL

At the margins of the 22nd AU Summit, President Pierre Buyoya, African Union High Representative for Mali and the Sahel, will on Wednesday 29 January 2014 at 17h00, hold a press briefing in Conference Hall 4 of the new AU Conference Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

During his briefing President Buyoya will address the following issues:

- The establishment of the African Union Mission for Mali and the Sahel (MISAHEL)
- Achievements of MISAHEL
- Overview of security challenges in the Sahel region
- Priorities in 2014

Journalists are invited to take part in the press briefing.

Contacts
Ms Lulit Kebede
Communication Officer
Peace and Security Department
Tel: +251 91 121 1183
E-mail: lulitk@africa-union.org

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke
Media Center Coordinator
Directorate of Information and Communication
AU Commission
Tel: +251911630631
E-mail: molalett@africa-union.org

Ms Yaye Nabo Sène
Communication Officer
AU Mission to Mali and the Sahel (MISAHEL)
Tel : +223 20 22 18 22 - Ext 149
Cell: +223 75 94 12 70
E-mail: seney@africa-union.org
epsilone10@gmail.com