Oxfam and Dubai Cares launch Primary Education Programmes in Niger

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Chairperson of Dubai Cares Board of Directors, has returned from Niger after launching primary education programmes with Oxfam in Niger which, according to the United Nations Human Development Index, is ranked as the poorest country in the world.

The announcement marks Dubai Cares’ first partnership with Oxfam to develop and implement primary education programmes in the developing world.
 
Two thousand children will benefit from the programmes, in addition to teachers; parent teacher associations (PTAs); school management committees; women’s associations and others; five local, national and regional civil society organisations; and, Government/Ministry of Education staffs in central and local services. 

The objective of this project is to build capacity in primary education in Niger.  The project will improve access to basic education in pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in the Tillaberi region of Niger and will improve quality and gender equity within the teaching system and will be in line with the Government of Niger’s Strategy for Development and Poverty Reduction (2007) goal of ensuring primary education for all by the year 2015.

“Dubai Cares will work closely with OXFAM to improve Nigerien children’s access to basic education, and to explore new ideas to build the capacity of communities and, particularly, that of women, with the aim of empowering them to become active partners in their own development,” said Al Hashimy. 

HE added:  “Providing access to primary education is only part of the equation – promoting a sense of ownership among communities is the best guarantee to ensure they will seize the opportunity given to them by their improved educational facilities."

Following a meeting with Oxfam officials in the Nigerien capital, Niamey, Al Hashimy and her team visited the towns of Tera and Say, both in the Tillaberi region, the sites of Dubai Cares’ education programmes.  The visits provided HE an opportunity to meet community leaders and the children who will benefit from the joint Dubai Cares-Oxfam initiative. 

Barbara Stocking, CEO of Oxfam said: "Dubai is widely known for its ultra-modern infrastructure, business opportunities and high quality of living. More recently, it is gaining worldwide recognition as a centre of philanthropy, taking seriously its obligation to contribute to development and the reduction of world poverty. By funding education projects, Dubai Cares is offering children a hope for the future and joining the global fight against poverty. Oxfam welcomes this generous initiative."

HE kicked-off her 3-day visit to Niger by meeting Dr. Ousmane Sanba Mamoudou, Niger Minister of Education, whose team briefed the Dubai Cares chairperson on the state of primary education in the country.  According to Ministry of Education officials, adult literacy rates are extremely low, as are primary school enrolment rates, demonstrating that for thousands of children, a basic quality education remains inaccessible. Net primary enrolment ratios are 57 per cent in 2007, and in nomadic areas the enrolment rates are consistently lower than the national average.

Dubai Cares has prioritized its Phase One grants to 12 countries that experience the highest gap in primary education. Earlier this year, Dubai Cares listed the beneficiary countries – Bangladesh, Bosnia, Chad, Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Maldives, Mauritania, Niger, Pakistan, Occupied Palestinian territories, Sudan, and Yemen, and Palestinian refugees (in Lebanon and Jordan).

Launched in September 2007, Dubai Cares has evolved into the world’s largest charitable establishment, solely devoted to improving primary education around the world. As a contribution to the UN Millennium Development Goals for providing primary education to every child by 2015, the initiative validates the emirate’s commitment to play an effective role in securing a better tomorrow for future generations.

Related links

"We hope to make a tremendous difference." (Gulf News)
Dubai Cares website
Oxfam in Niger