Admission of girls and boys to lower schools has reached parity since 2005 but there is concern about the low number of girls attending universities. 

The nation’s minister of Basic Education Ms Claudiana Cole made the statement at a FAWEGAM gathering on Thursday (24 March). 

Ms Cole said: “Today girls’ enrolment in schools is no longer an issue as we have reached parity in enrolment since 2005, but we are concerned about more girls not attending universities, colleges and other tertiary institutions.”

Beatrice Mboge, chairperson of FAWEGAM, said her organisation is the only NGO set up by African Women for the empowerment of African women and girls.

“FAWEGAM’s vision is a world in which all African girls have access to education, perform well and complete their studies and gender disparities in education are eliminated, and its mission is to promote gender and equality in education in Africa by fostering positive policies, practices and attitudes towards girls’ education,” she said.

“We are proud to be at the forefront of the movement of Africans leading African development and our unique insight into the issues for African girls and communities allows us to develop tailored, sustainable and gender responsive interventions that work.

“Our strategic objective is to enable girls across Africa to access high quality education, complete schooling and perform at all levels. 

“To also ensure knowledge and learning of gender and education are managed shared for the benefit of all working in this field,” she added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba