Education Main Tool for a Poverty-Free Bangladesh
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently spoke about the results of the 2012 Secondary School Certificate examinations and said the main tool for building a poverty-free Bangladesh is education. She discussed a variety of government measures that will help build an illiteracy free country by 2014, including distribution of free textbooks among students up to the secondary level and providing scholarship to female students up to the higher secondary level. In addition, she encouraged students to pay close attention to their studies while working towards an enlightened and dignified Bangladesh. Read it here.
Saudi Arabian Girls’ School Defies Religious Ban
A state-run girls’ school in Saudi Arabia has become the first in the country to openly allow students to play sports. While Islamic law prevents women from playing sports, the school has defied the religious ban and put up basketball hoops for female students to use during activity classes. Saudi Arabia recently set up a ministerial committee to consider allowing women’s sports clubs. Read the rest here.
Qatar’s First Female Olympians Head to London
Qatar is one of only three countries that has never sent women to the Olympic Games. However, that is all changing in just a few short months as the country will send its first female athletes to London for the summer games. Bahiya Al-Hamad, who was awarded a wild card to compete in the 10-meter rifle shooting competition, says this historical event is an accomplishment for every Qatari woman. Read it here.
Corruption Threatens Education System in Mozambique
An in-depth study in Mozambique found that widespread corruption and impunity in the education sector is putting the country’s future at risk. Despite accomplishments such as raising the literacy rate by 50 percent and pushing the net school enrollment up by a third, the public perception of the education sector remains negative. The study calls on the Mozambique government to put anti-corruption laws in place to strengthen oversight and ensure resources are properly managed. Read more here.
First Female Military Pilot in Nigeria
Blessing Liman made history in Nigeria as she was made the country’s first female military pilot. At just 28-years-old, the young officer earned her wings after joining the Nigerian Air Force in July 2011 and excelling in her training. Read it here.
