Breaking Barriers: Access Bank Championing Education for Every Child in Africa

“Children in emergency situations have a right to quality education like every other child, yet education in emergencies continues to be critically underfunded and under-resourced. Education is lifesaving and should not be seen as a second phase of a humanitarian response.” – Wongani Grace Taulo, UNICEF Regional Education Adviser for Eastern and Southern Africa.

It is a basic right for every child to receive an education that is both inclusive and of high quality. However, in Africa, there are nearly 46 million children of school age who do not attend school. Those who face the greatest challenges, particularly those impacted by conflict and climate crises, often lack access to education the most.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, of the 244 million children globally between ages 6 and 18 who are not in school, more than 98 million—or over 40%—reside in sub-Saharan Africa. This includes significant numbers in Nigeria (20.2 million), Ethiopia (10.5 million), the Democratic Republic of Congo (5.9 million), and Kenya (1.8 million). Currently, sub-Saharan Africa exhibits the highest levels of educational deprivation worldwide, with an alarming 90% of children unable to competently read or comprehend a basic text by age 10. Children entrenched in areas plagued by conflict or climate-related emergencies are disproportionately impacted by this learning deficit, suffering the highest rates of educational shortfall in the region. Over half of all children worldwide affected by crises are in sub-Saharan Africa. These vulnerable children should be prioritised for extensive educational support to aid their learning and rehabilitation; however, many are unfortunately left without such assistance.

It is widely recognised that education is a critical component for socio-economic development, significantly contributing to the improvement of individual lives and community welfare. Education equips people with crucial skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary for personal development and societal progress. The benefits of education extend past scholastic achievement, advancing economic growth, alleviating poverty, promoting social fairness, bettering health conditions, stimulating innovation, encouraging environmental preservation, reinforcing community connections, and supporting self-actualisation.

From an economic standpoint, education is a driving force for expansion and improvement, boosting the productivity and innovative capacity of the labour market. Individuals with education are more likely to land better-paying jobs, foster technological progress, and spearhead initiatives, which in turn enrich overall economic performance and consistency. Additionally, education is crucial in reducing poverty, as it arms people with vital skills to escape persistent deprivation. Quality education not only broadens job prospects but also provides individuals with essential insights that influence their choices regarding health, dietary habits, and family planning, thus enhancing the general quality of life.

Education acts as a leveler, providing opportunities for people from all walks of life to thrive and contribute to society. It encourages social harmony by teaching acceptance and respect for differences and enables individuals to partake in meaningful discussions and unite on community matters. By granting knowledge and skills, education empowers people to make choices, speak up for themselves, and influence their futures. It reduces inequalities related to gender, ethnicity, or income through accessible educational opportunities. Moreover, an educated public is more likely to take part in civic duties, comprehend their rights, and actively engage in democratic processes, promoting a fair and just society.

Access Bank PLC, one of Africa’s premier financial institutions, continues to reaffirm its dedication to education and community development through its annual Charity Polo Tournament. During the 2024 event, Access Bank announced the construction of 60 additional classrooms in Maraban Jos, Kaduna. This initiative underscores the transformative power of sports in driving community upliftment.

The tournament, which attracted dignitaries, sports enthusiasts, and philanthropists, highlighted how sports can serve as a powerful catalyst for social good. This year’s announcement builds on the Bank’s commendable efforts in 2023, where they commissioned 30 blocks, each comprising two classrooms, during the same event.

Upon the project’s completion, Access Bank aims to double the enrolment capacity of the Access Bank Fifth Chukker School. This expansion is poised to significantly enhance educational opportunities, building on the school’s success in providing quality education and social welfare to approximately 14,000 children to date. The Polo Tournament has also, in recent years, been extended to include South Africa, with a partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation forming a foundation for scaled impact across the continent. Access Bank’s initiatives include scholarships, mentorship programs, and providing a comprehensive educational experience for underserved students.

Continuing with similar initiatives, Access Bank, in collaboration with the Temitayo Awosika Help Foundation, launched the Back to School Project to lessen financial pressures on parents and guardians of children with sickle cell disease. This noble cause has provided over 12,000 underprivileged students with vital scholastic materials. These materials comprise textbooks essential for thorough learning, backpacks for the efficient and safe transport of items, notebooks designed for effective note-taking and homework, along with an array of stationery crucial for everyday learning tasks. Through this provision, TAHF aims to promote educational opportunity and equity, ensuring that children from all economic backgrounds have the essential instruments to thrive academically.

Furthering its efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children, Access Bank partnered with Kidpreneur Africa to launch “Project Educate Me.” This initiative aims to empower internally displaced and underserved youth with essential literacy, financial, digital, and life skills. Targeting vulnerable populations in Adamawa, Katsina, and Borno states, Project Educate Me will support children in specific local government areas. By collaborating with stakeholders, the project seeks to directly benefit over 150,000 children, ensuring positive, lasting impacts on their lives and futures.

Access Bank Ghana’s partnership with CHAINT AFRIQUE on the “A Sandal More” project, an initiative focused on upcycling used car tires into eco-friendly, durable school sandals. This innovative project addresses the dual needs of promoting quality and inclusive education for all children by providing sandals to underprivileged children, and promoting environmental sustainability by repurposing waste materials. The project was launched in 2023 supported 1,000 school children in Ghana with sandals made from tires. The initiative has impacted over 400 communities and involved skills acquisition programs for youth and entrepreneurs to build capacity on recycling old tires, with 1,000 individuals trained. Collection hubs were provided in various locations for the collection of old tires from customers and employees

Building on its success in Ghana, Access Bank Nigeria partnered with FREEE Recycle to launch a transformative initiative in Oyo State. The program collected and recycled 706 discarded tires from the Oyo environs through FREEE’s network of aggregators. The recycled tires were utilised to produce 2,500 rubber sandals, benefiting school children in various communities across Oyo State. This initiative not only addressed critical waste management challenges by promoting recycling and reducing carbon emissions but also enhanced access to education by providing footwear to school children. Additionally, Access Bank and FREEE Recycle were committed to empowering local communities through skills development, ensuring sustainable contributions to FREEE Recycle’s manufacturing operations and fostering environmental stewardship across the region.

In Zambia, many girls encounter formidable challenges due to the considerable distances they must traverse to reach school. These distances often pose a barrier to their education, especially in rural areas like Kasama. Recognising this obstacle, Access Bank Zambia has made a significant contribution to the Strong Girls Strong Zambia Campaign by donating 60 bicycles. These bicycles play a crucial role in enhancing educational opportunities for vulnerable girls. By providing a means of transportation, Access Bank Zambia is helping to overcome the logistical hurdles that often prevent girls from attending school regularly and punctually. This initiative not only ensures safer and more efficient travel but also empowers girls to prioritise their education, thereby fostering their academic success and personal development.

Access Bank is actively addressing educational barriers, empowering vulnerable populations, and promoting sustainable development. By focusing on literacy, empowerment, and community engagement, Access Bank not only transforms individual lives but also contributes significantly to the socio-economic advancement of communities. As we all know, education is a fundamental human right and it is our obligation to ensure no child is left behind.