Education is the foundation for developing a peaceful and humane society. Education gives young minds skills to choose the right path and around 63 million kids don’t have access to education.
This was highlighted in a powerful speech given by the Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development
H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser while attending a high-level meeting organized by Education Above All (EAA) in partnership with UNESCO in Paris.
Her Highness has been the driving force behind making access to quality education easier for kids around the world who are out of classrooms.
She founded EAA in 2012 and its aim is to build a global movement that contributes to human, social and economic development through the provision of quality education. Under the Educate A Child programme EAA are planning to deliver quality education to 10 million kids around the world.
Qatar has been a shining example in investing in quality education to help the future generation reach its potential and thus help the country prosper. But, the same can’t be said about the region. Millions of kids are out of their classrooms due to conflicts and politics.
Classrooms, where young minds are supposed to find wisdom and knowledge, which will help them keep away from extremism, are getting bombed and burned. These bombs are not only destroying the school building but also extinguishing the dreams of millions of young kids.
“Unfortunately, education, as an institution, is currently fragile and defenseless. Algebra is not taught by soldiers in fortified compounds. It is taught by teachers in schools,” H H Sheikha Moza said.
“We must not allow ourselves to be “numbed” by the numbers, and we cannot accept apathy as a response. Because history, as we know, will judge us, by both what we do, and what we choose not to do,” H H Sheikha Moza added.
This is so true. What the world, especially the region, needs now is for governments and people to come together and take a stand that classrooms will not be attacked and make sure that no kid is left behind.
“I made a personal promise to provide primary education to 10 million children. I knew it was ambitious, but I wanted to show that even daring goals can be met. And today, with support of our many partners, we will soon keep our promise to educate 10 million children,” H H Sheikha Moza said.
If more groups and bodies join her effort, we might be able to educate all the 63 million kids. A young mind with proper education will surely turn out to be a responsible citizen of the world.
