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Minister Paradis Announces Support for Basic Education in Burkina Faso

Canada supports an initiative to improve access to quality education

April 20, 2015 - Ottawa, Ontario - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada

The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today announced, during a luncheon with the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, Yacouba Isaac Zida, Canada’s support to the Support for Basic Education in Burkina Faso project. This investment will improve access to quality education for youth, provide equitable education for girls and boys, and build the management capacities of the Ministry of National Education and Literacy.

“Canada is proud to be helping to secure the future of children and youth through its ongoing support for developing education and promoting equity for girls,” stated Minister Paradis. “DFATD’s education investments in Burkina Faso are enabling the country to draw on a more educated population that is actively involved in the social and economic life of the country.”

This initiative will contribute to Canada’s aid effectiveness commitments and to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in education. It will also improve the quality of basic education services and ensure equality between girls and boys in primary and post-primary schools. The initiative contributes to children’s well-being, and it is also in keeping with efforts to improve maternal and child health, which is Canada’s top international development priority.

Quick Facts

  • In 2014, Burkina Faso was confirmed as a country of focus for the Government of Canada’s international development efforts.

  • Canada is Burkina Faso’s long-standing partner in improving access to quality education for all children, both girls and boys.

  • On April 16, 2015, Minister Paradis announced that Canada will contribute a total of C$120 million to the Global Partnership for Education. This signals Canada’s continued and deep commitment to promoting education for girls and boys in developing countries.

  • By supporting the education sector, Canada is helping to secure the future of Burkina Faso’s children and youth through fostering better socio-economic conditions.

  • Canada remains committed to strengthening its ties with sub‑Saharan Africa while focusing on its top international development priority: saving the lives of the world’s most vulnerable women and their children.

  • On May 29, 2014, at the Saving Every Woman, Every Child: Within Arm’s Reach summit, Prime Minister Harper announced an additional commitment of $3.5 billion for maternal, newborn and child health during the period 2015–2020.

Related Products
Backgrounder – Support for Basic Education in Burkina Faso

Related Links
Securing the Future of Children and Youth
Canada is participating in the global educational effort
Web page on Burkina Faso

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