Liberia tops UNICEF list of 10 worst countries for access to primary schoolSeptember 1, 2016 - 11:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Liberia has the highest proportion of children missing out on primary school education, the United Nations said on Thursday, September 1, with nearly two-thirds of its children never stepping inside a classroom, Reuters reports. African countries hit by conflict featured prominently in UNICEF's first global out-of-school ranking, with South Sudan coming joint second with Eritrea on the list. In both countries, 59 percent of children are out of school. Last month UNICEF said a spike in the forced recruitment of child soldiers in South Sudan could be imminent amid fears the East Africa nation was on the brink of renewed civil war. Although school is vital for children living in crises, education is one of the least funded sectors in humanitarian appeals, the U.N. children's fund, UNICEF, said in a statement. "For countries affected by conflict, school equips children with the knowledge and skills they need to rebuild their communities once the crisis is over," UNICEF's chief of education Jo Bourne said in the statement. "Schools can also protect children from the trauma and physical dangers around them." Classroom routines can help children psychologically after witnessing atrocities, as well as safeguarding them from abuse, experts say. A crisis fund was launched in May at the World Humanitarian Summit to increase funding for children missing out on school due to war and natural disasters. The West African country of Liberia, which emerged from two civil wars in 2003, temporarily shut its schools to stop the spread of the Ebola epidemic, which ended in June. The 18 million children in the 10 worst countries for access to primary school account for almost one third of the world's 61 million primary school-aged children who are out of school, UNICEF said. Here are the top 10 countries in the world with the highest proportion of children missing out on primary school: 1) Liberia - 62 percent 2) South Sudan - 59 percent 3) Eritrea - 59 percent 4) Afghanistan - 46 percent 5) Sudan - 45 percent 6) Djibouti - 43 percent 7) Equatorial Guinea - 42 percent 8) Niger - 38 percent 9) Mali - 36 percent 10) Nigeria - 34 percent Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |