World Population Day: Bridge International Academies Emphasises Importance Of Educating Girls

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (Bernama) -- Bridge International Academies is drawing attention to the urgency of educating African girls this World Population Day (July 11), the first time Sub-Saharan Africa will have the largest population of children on the planet.

According to a statement, this World Population Day focuses on the theme of ‘gender equality and women's empowerment as a key factor in reducing poverty’.

Bridge Group Managing Director, Reuben Wambugu said by 2050, Africa and Asia will be home to 85 per cent of the world's young people, with the larger proportion in Africa and currently, only 10 per cent of children in sub-Saharan Africa are able to read a simple sentence by the age of 10.

“If these young people are not provided with an adequate education, there will be a global shortage of scientists, doctors and engineers. This could lead to a range of possible global catastrophes.

“While Bridge has seen fantastic improvements in learning outcomes for all those attending our schools, it is particularly heartening that Bridge’s methodology has succeeded in achieving gender parity in the classroom,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bridge Nigeria Managing Director Foyinsola Akinjayeju said: “Bridge’s model focuses on arming teachers with scientifically proven techniques to elevate the learning of girls.

“Through approaches, such as gender sensitive instruction in lesson and textbook materials, expecting equal participation through ‘cold calling’ of boys and girls in the classroom and the use of female school leaders as role models, girls are empowered to succeed.

“By pushing this approach and the importance of women’s empowerment, Bridge Nigeria alone has provided a life-changing education to tens of thousands of girls in underserved communities, helping them complete primary school, do well in secondary school and open up opportunities offering prosperity and success.”

The schools network, which includes Bridge Kenya, Bridge Nigeria and Bridge Uganda, supports children and parents in underserved communities by providing an excellent education.

-- BERNAMA