Envoy shines light on girls’ education

British High Commissioner Keith Scott says increasing the participation of girls and young women in education will bring security, stability and prosperity for the country.
He said the United Kingdom was focusing its developmental aid on girls’ education in Commonwealth countries like Papua New Guinea.
“We recognise that in a number of countries, often developing economies or conflict zones, girls miss out on education,” Scott said.
“Across the world, over 130 million girls between the ages of six to 17 years are not in school; almost half that number are in the Commonwealth.
“In conflict zones, girls are over twice as likely to be out of school. Our priority should be the future of our children.”
Scott was speaking at the Life PNG Care fundraising dinner at the Dynasty Restaurant in Port Moresby.
The fundraiser was for the “Counting one child now by preserving the future generation” project of PNG Life Care, which is the mobile school programme in the National Capital District.
Scott said the United Kingdom had committed £212 million (about K1 billion) in developmental aid to assist one million vulnerable girls across the Commonwealth, including PNG.
“Our aim is to deliver 12 years of quality education for all girls by 2030,” he said. “I am delighted to say that this is a goal shared by Papua New Guinea.”
The United Kingdom is a key donor of developmental assistance to PNG.
This funding has been channeled through the European Union – about 15 per cent of EU funding comes from the UK – and the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, to which the UK is a significant contributor.
Scott said the UK had supported the EU’s human resources development programme, worth over €17 million (about K65 million) to help develop the management skills of PNG teachers and improve access to training.
“The programme has also enabled the construction of dormitories and six classrooms in three teacher training colleges in PNG,” Scott said.
Scott said the United Kingdom’s Chevening Scholarship Programme offered post-graduate university scholarships to the best and brightest around the world to attend the Britain’s world-class higher-education system.
“It offers a unique opportunity for future leaders and influencers around the world to develop professionally and academically, network extensively, experience UK culture and most importantly, return to apply that learning at home,” he said.