International Day of Education 2023
In 2018, the United Nations Assembly adopted 24th September as The International Education Day and annually since then, the day has been used to highlight the role of education in the promotion of peace and development across the globe.
According to the United Nations, an estimated 244 million children and youths are out of school and 771 million adults are illiterate worldwide. In Nigeria, UNICEF (2021) noted that a total of 13.2 million children are out of school with the majority in conflict-affected regions of the country such as North West and North East Nigeria. North East accounted for over 60% of these dropouts and more than half of these children aged 6 – 18 years are girls.
Thus, on this year's International Day of Education fittingly this year's theme is "to invest in people, prioritize education.”
The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) has been at the forefront in prioritizing education and investing in the lives of children, adolescents, adults and the elderly in Nigeria and across Africa. This is actualized through various means, including a team of committed experts in public health and education. Since its conception in 2004, WBFA has actively engaged in advocacy, writing of educational materials, policy papers and articles to promote education and implementation of health education programs in collaboration with its local and global partners.
Advocacy: Her Excellency Toyin Saraki who is the Founder and President of the Wellbeing Foundation is a fellow in public health and a national and global advocate in education, health and well-being of the most vulnerable populations in Nigeria and Africa. Through the Foundation, she has transformed the education of the girl child and promoted investment in education in Kwara State, Lagos, Abuja and across Nigeria. The Foundation is actively involved and contributed immensely to the promulgation of policies and laws that promotes the education of the girl child and the child right acts which are central in addressing the education gaps and fundamental problems that contribute to out-of-school and poor literacy levels in Nigeria.
Writing of Educational Books and Articles: Various evidence-based educational books have been produced by the Wellbeing Foundation Africa on health education for children, adolescents, adults and the elderly in Nigeria and across Africa. WBFA’s Mamacare 360 handbook is a prime example of health education material for mothers, written in English and local languages on pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal topics to improve their knowledge and equip them with the ability to make the best decisions about their health and wellbeing.
Another key educational material is the Personal, Social and Health Education Curriculum (PSHE) handbook which targets young people and adolescents and seeks to educate girls and boys about their education, their bodies, relationships, personal health, hygiene and sanitation.
In August 2022, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa partnered with Reckitt - Dettol to incorporate the Hygiene Quest Curriculum into its existing handbooks promoting hand hygiene education in schools for children and adolescents, in healthcare facilities for pregnant and lactating mothers and in communities to community members. The Dettol Hygiene Quest curriculum was introduced, in association with the Clean Nigeria Initiative endorsed by the Ministry of Water Resources Nigeria.
Implementation of Educational Programs: One of the strengths and core approaches of the Wellbeing Foundation is implementing health education programs that focus on the most vulnerable groups in the population. This is done via a one-on-one approach, group discussions and the media including the use of active Whatsapp groups. Over the decade, WBFA through its Mamacare 360 and Primary Social and Health Education (PSHE) programs have actively provided health education to thousands of pregnant and lactating mothers on best maternal and child health practices. It has also invested greatly towards the education of children and adolescents in schools and community members across various states including FCT Abuja, Lagos, Kwara, Osun, Cross Rivers, Sokoto and Kano States of Nigeria. These educational endeavors are provided by highly trained medical doctors, midwives and nurses who are engaged by the Foundation.
WBFA through its various programs has invested millions of Naira and contributed greatly towards quality education and improvement in knowledge as a means of investment into the millions of Nigeria across various states in the country and across Africa. From its inception of Activities in 2004, WBFA reached thousands of Nigerians
In the last two years alone WBFA has reached 112,170 pregnant and lactating mothers with health education in266 healthcare facilities across its seven program states. The Fondation has also reached approximately 5,300 children and adolescents and community members across 96 schools and 92 communities, with education on PSHE WASH ranging from topics on personal health, hygiene and sanitation aimed at improving health outcomes.
As we celebrate the 5th Global International Education Day on the 24th of January 2023, WBFA will continue to be at the forefront of promoting good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively.
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