Photo of the week: education for all

Education is an important ingredient in helping people gain the skills and confidence necessary to lift themselves out of poverty. This is even more essential when you live in a country like Sierra Leone, one of the poorest nations in the world.

Fudia Brima (pictured leading an English class) has been working at the Al-Qudus Islamic school for seven years.

Sierra Leone recovered slowly from the devastating civil war that ended in 2002, but has made a speedy recovery in the area of education.

Although the law in Sierra Leone makes it compulsory for all children to go to primary school, around a quarter of children still miss out on an education. Many schools were burnt down during the war and schools in rural areas still face a serious shortage of qualified teachers.

ActionAid has been working alongside school management committees and local organisations at schools such as the Al-Qudus Islamic primary school in Freetown. The school has received training in budget monitoring and advocacy that has promoted knowledge of Sierra Leone’s Education Act. ActionAid has also been providing books, teacher training and school equipment and actively promotes equal access to education for girls and boys.

Every child deserves an education. Support the 1Goal: Education for All campaign at http://www.join1goal.org.au/