A Dubai-based charity is launching a Dh20 million programme to help 35,000 school children in Laos.

The programme by Dubai Cares is called ‘Laos Educational Access Research and Networking,’ is in partnership with Plan International Canada, Save the Children and the World Bank.

According to the United Nations, school retention rates in the impoverished Asian country — which has a population of around 6.5 million — remain low, at around 78.3 per cent in 2014 and 2015.

Although this retention rate has increased by over 7 per cent since 2012, it still needs to be much higher to ensure children complete primary school

The programme will also help promote health, sanitation and good nutrition, helping to make the learning process more fulfilling for young children.

Parents will also be encouraged to be actively involved in their children’s development and education.

“We hope to help children gain their rights by ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all,” said Mada Al Suwaidi, a Dubai Cares Senior Country Programme Officer.

[The programme] “will also generate the evidence required to influence key policies and processes regarding education reforms,” she added.

Dubai Cares is part of the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiative, a charitable foundation that works in 116 countries

source : gulfnews