Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More

World Video | Defence | Foreign Affairs | Natural Events | Trade | NZ in World News | NZ National News Video | NZ Regional News | Search

 

Belafonte Urges All Countries To End School Fees


Harry Belafonte Urges All Countries To End School Fees, Unicef Reports

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) today reported that its goodwill ambassador, Harry Belafonte, has issued a call on all developing countries today to follow Kenya's example and permanently abolish primary school fees.

Since the first week of tuition-free school in Kenya in January 2003, more than 1.3 children have entered school for the first time, pushing national enrollment from 5.9 million to 7.2 million, according to UNICEF.

"These children and their parents know that getting an education is not only their right, but a passport to a better future," Mr. Belafonte said today. "Kenya's decision to abolish school fees is a shining example of just what can be achieved in the developing world by sheer political will."

Mr. Belafonte is visiting Kenya to monitor the success of free primary education one year after school fees were abolished. Appointed as a global goodwill ambassador in 1987, he has participated in hundreds of events and trips on behalf of UNICEF.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
World Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.