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As the continent loses US$29 billion in education funding through tax abuse, about 18,846,517 girls are out of primary school in Africa according to a report by the Tax and Education (TaxEd) Alliance and its allies.
A strategic agenda for the African Union Year of Education reveals that sealing loopholes used for tax abuse, and ensuring fair, gender-responsive, taxation can raise an additional USD146 billion in Africa every year.
An allocation of 20 percent (USD29.2 billion) of these additional funds to the education sector would be sufficient to cover costs for 25 million primary school children.
“It is appalling that there are over 18 million girls missing school in Africa due to inadequate investment in the education sector when appropriate action by our governments to address gaps in taxation, debt, and austerity offers an opportunity to address this challenge”, read the report.
Twenty eight of the 52 African Union (AU) countries studied are spending over 12 percent of their national budgets on debt repayment. 15 of these countries are already spending more on debt servicing than education.
Ashina Mtsumi, Coordinator of the Tax and Education Alliance, said: “Women and girls bear the brunt of austerity and debt in Africa. Evidence suggests that austerity measures often have a disproportionately negative impact on girls’ access to education, hindering their individual development and limiting their future opportunities.”
Commenting on the same issue, Africa Director at Education International, Dennis Sinyolo said African governments should act to end teacher shortgaes.
“African governments should take immediate policy, legislative, and financing measures to end the teacher shortage. We call on AU member states to ensure that every African child is taught by a qualified, supported, and motivated teacher with decent salaries and working conditions”, said Sinyolo.
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