Only 15% of Pakistani children under two get sufficient nutrition, and other news (18 Sep 2018)

From a feeding assessment in Pakistan to low-cost private schooling in Nigeria

Every Tuesday we highlight some of the international development stories from across the globe that have caught our attention.

  • In Pakistan, only 15% of children under two in are receiving the minimum acceptable diet needed for effective growth and development, according to a new study. The government launched the National Complementary Feeding Assessment to discover this data; poor diets are a major cause of undernutrition and stunting in children. Read more in The Nation (Pakistan).
  • Fifteen countries in sub-Saharan Africa will benefit from a new education programme aimed at children between seven and 14. Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning will build long-term partnerships between UK schools and those in lower-income countries. Read more in This Day Live (Nigeria).
  • The Government of Pakistan has announced a new programme that will mainstream children living on the street into education. The federal minister for education and professional training, Shafqat Mahmood, identified this as one of the main challenges facing the sector. Read more in The Daily Messenger (Pakistan).
  • A development impact bond has been launched in India to improve the quality of education, using an outcome-based financing model. It is estimated that it will impact over 300,000 children. DFID are leading the bond alongside various charitable organisations in India and elsewhere. Read more The Hindu Business Line.
  • Business Day looks back after the past decade in Nigeria to summarise and examine the response to the country’s financial inclusion challenge. Read more in Business Day.