Abstract:

The 1990 Jomtien World Conference on Education for All (EFA) focused on the importance and impact of basic education, and forged a global consensus and commitment to providing basic education for all. It is now 20 years since international organizations, donor aid agencies, governments and other players have continually pledged and supported the enhancement of the achievements of EFA. The question is 20 years on what has been the impact of FPE policy? New dates to achieve access to and complete free and compulsory primary school in the World are being set whenever “big shots” meet to assess the progress of Universal Primary Education. In 2000 for instance, countries and representatives from international development organizations met in Dakar, Senegal, to assess the achievements of Educational for All. Reports revealed that Universal Primary Education was not being achieved, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (including Malawi) because socio-economic and socio-cultural conditions continue to severe impact upon children’s schooling. The Dakar, Senegal 2000 Framework for Action, therefore, set a new target for achieving Education for All by 2005 and Universal Primary Education by 2015.

The Global monitoring report of (2010) indicates that whilst there have been many positive developments in the implementation of FPE policy, there still remain various obstacles to the development and implementation of Education for All. Furthermore millions of children especially in Sub Saharan Africa are not in schools.
The educationalists, researchers, governments, non-governmental organizations, donor aid agencies continue to meet in different forums to discuss the progress of the achievements of Education for All. Donor agencies continue to pour out funds to support EFA initiatives. One of the organizing which receives funding to promote education in Africa is the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE). FAWE is a pan-African non-governmental organization founded in 1992, whose mission is to promote gender equity and equality in education in Africa by fostering positive policies, practices and attitudes towards girls' education. FAWE’s goals and vision are in line with Education for All. The organization’s members include ministers of education, university vice-chancellors, education policy-makers, researchers, gender specialists and human rights activists.
Over the years FAWE has engaged in interventions in 33 National Chapters in Africa which have improved access, attendance, attainment and achievement of children’s schooling, particularly of girls. This paper discusses best practices which are contributing towards achieving Universal Primary Education by 2015. Furthermore, the paper argues that educationalists and reaserchers should document what has worked over the years to keep children especially girls in school. Donor agencies should replicate and scale up the interventions that have worked. Non government Organisations such as FAWE should demonstrate on what has worked to increase participation of girls and boys in schools.

Keywords:

Education for All.