National education action plan endorsed

The government of the Central African Republic (CAR) has endorsed an "Education for All" action plan, aimed at guaranteeing qualitative education for all citizens, state-owned Radio Centrafrique reported on Saturday. The radio reported that the action plan was endorsed/adopted after a seminar held in the capital, Bangui, from Wednesday to Friday. The UN Development Programme, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), UNESCO and Coopération Francaise (French Cooperation) facilitated the seminar. The national action plan aims at providing a qualitative primary education for all boys and girls, access to basic education for adults as well as eduction on citizenship, peace and the fight against HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. Education Minister Karim Meckassoua was quoted as saying that it was through education that CAR could promote positive change, which would lead to improved standards of living. "The educational system is a lever for the rest of the sectors," he said. He added that the seminar had put at the disposal of CAR government a new framework of action, "bold and practical, conceived to meet the fundamental educational needs". He said, "Operational objectives and news strategies were defined and planned." He added that the challenge was now its implementation. The CAR education system has faced several crises during the past decade. UNICEF has been helping CAR through a project promoting education for girls and the reduction of disparities in gender. The UN World Food Programme has also introduced a feeding programme in some schools, in efforts to keep children in school, particularly girls.