Thank you.
I'm speaking to you this morning as a member of the Grandmothers Advocacy Network. We advocate for women and children in sub-Saharan Africa, and we're asking Canada to commit $260 million to the Global Partnership for Education for their three-year replenishment period.
A hundred million children in sub-Saharan Africa do not attend school, and many who attend school don't have a quality educational experience because of the lack of trained teachers and supplies, inadequate buildings, and outdated curriculum.
The Global Partnership for Education is in a unique position to assist in improving educational access for children in developing countries. They provide funding so that countries can build schools, train teachers, create strong curricula, and address the many barriers that children, especially girls, face in accessing a quality education.
Access to a quality education should not depend on the lottery of birth. Canada can assist in making education a reality for all children in the world by agreeing to commit $260 million to the Global Partnership for Education.
Please make education a priority for all.