The Zero Out of School Children Strategy

Cognizant of the progress made, lessons learned and the promises left unfulfilled, EAC remains steadfast in its aim to identify and enrol the hardest-to-reach OOSC. The march to 10 million was only the beginning. EAC takes to heart its role as a leader for global action and creating opportunities for OOSC around the world to actualise a brighter future through education.

EAC will continue to implement its initial approach with an annual target of approximately 1 million OOSC. The continued incidence of OOSC, particularly in countries that linger on the cusp of Universal Primary Education (UPE), serves as a clarion call for the world to change the way it works if we are to achieve a sustainable planet. EAC wants to make a contribution to this change.

With the implementation of Zero OOSC, EAC will collaborate with approximately three governments annually that have been working steadily over the years to bring UPE to fruition and education exclusion to a final conclusion.

Based on what governments and the larger EAC partnership have learned about including OOSC we shall:

• Consult with interested governments to determine if we have common ground and a means to reach a common goal;
• Facilitate technical support and partnership development to undertake the challenge;
• Identify an affordable financing mechanism; and
• Undertake a joint partnership through an agreed-upon framework, budget and timeline.

Zero OOSC strategies may include alternative education delivery systems in the hardest-to-reach areas, alternative funding models, and more robust and comprehensive data than is currently available on OOSC. Moreover, where there are large OOSC populations, or unique internal constraints, other options may initially consist of elaborating “Zero OOSC Zones” as a first step towards Zero OOSC nationally.

This ambitious task will require commitment, consultation, careful planning, flexible implementation and resources (human and financial). Yet it is also on a fast track. EAC is eager to jump start this initiative and maintain the momentum over the long term.