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IN-DEPHT STUDY |
| 6 JANUARY – MISSIONARY CHILDHOOD
DAY |
| CHILDREN DENIED EDUCATION |
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Education is a universal right. Nevertheless in the
world 121 million children are denied basic instruction because in
their country schooling is not yet compulsory, free and accessible
to all. Girls pay the highest price because the majority of those
excluded are girls, 65 million compared to 56 boys.
The figure 121 million, reported by UNICEF in its most recent statement
on the situation of children in the world, is necessarily too low
due to the difficulty of counting school aged children in certain
countries which lack censure structures, or live in situations of
war, or children are abandoned by their families.
Another reason why children do not go to school is child labour. Child
workers paid a minimum wage often support entire families. Others
are sold for exploitation or cannot go to school because they have
to look after younger brothers and sisters or sick or elderly relations.
Whatever the case, it is once again poverty and ignorance which is
at the root of lack of schooling or irregular schooling of many children
deprived of a basic right.
Figures on children enrolled at school show the state of poverty and
under-development of their country. Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and some
Arab states are among the areas most affected by this phenomenon.
1997-2000
PRIMARY SCHOOL ENROLMENT PERCENTAGE |
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| Paese |
Boys |
Girls |
| Afghanistan |
42 |
15 |
| Angola |
39 |
35 |
| Burundi |
59 |
49 |
| Chad |
70 |
47 |
| Cameroon |
81 |
71 |
| Guinea Bissau |
63 |
45 |
| Liberia |
96 |
71 |
| Mozambique |
59 |
50 |
| Nepal |
77 |
67 |
| Niger |
38 |
33 |
| Pakistan |
83 |
48 |
| Central African Republic |
64 |
45 |
| Rep Dem Congo |
33 |
32 |
| Serbia/Montenegro |
50 |
51 |
| Sierra Leone |
68 |
63 |
| Somalia |
13 |
7 |
| Sudan |
51 |
42 |
| Tanzania |
46 |
48 |
| Zambia |
66 |
65 |
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