Food Shortages Force Children to Drop Out of School in Niger
The food crisis across the Sahel region of Africa is having devastating health effects on millions of children, especially those under the age of five. However, food shortages have also created a ripple effect that is causing countless children to stay home, too weak to attend school. Niger has been hit especially hard by the crisis, where 66 percent of the population lives below the poverty line and educational indicators are already among the lowest in the world. Read more here.
Girls in Tororo, Uganda Outshine Boys in Final Exams
Girls in Tororo District, Uganda have a big reason to celebrate: For the fourth year in a row, girls in this region have outshone their male counterparts in Primary Leaving Examinations. Way to go girls! Read the details here.
Major Changes Possible For Kenya School System
Kenya will have four different types of secondary schools if a new proposal on education reforms is adopted. Unlike the current system, the proposal allows students to pursue either general, technical, talent or vocational education from specialized institutions. The changes would bring new curriculum and textbooks and would also require students to take two years in pre-school, six in primary, three in junior secondary, three in senior secondary and three at university. If accepted, the changes will take place in September 2013. Read more here.
Mexico Appoints First Female Chief of Federal Police
For the first time ever, Mexico has appointed its first woman to head the federal police. Maribel Cervantes, 41, has a degree in communication sciences and is experienced in military training and intelligence. The past year has seen a number of firsts for women in Mexico. Marisela Morales became the first female attorney general of Mexico in March, and last weekend Josefina Vazquez Mota of Calderon’s conservative National Action Party (PAN) won her party’s presidential nomination for the July 1 election. Read more.
