HC Deb 03 February 1999 vol 324 cc635-6W
12. Fiona Mactaggart

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development in what ways her Department is supporting the education of girls in poorer countries; and if she will make a statement. [67517]

Clare Short

As we make clear in the Development White Paper, we are strongly committed to the key international targets of Universal Primary Education by 2015 and gender equity in primary and secondary education by 2005. We are working in the international system to try to increase the commitment to meeting this target and prioritising these targets in all our programmes. For example, we have recently committed over £200 million to basic education in a number of countries including Ghana, India, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and our largest ever single education commitment of £67 million for Uganda.

We are also working co-operatively with the World Bank, UNICEF, and the Rockefeller Foundation, to develop practical strategies which will encourage the enrolment of girls in school in countries with very low enrolment rates.

Back to
Forward to