THE Scottish Government is seeking to provide up to £12.5 million in aid for education initiatives in three African countries.

Two programmes — one working with disabled children and another helping girls to complete secondary school — in Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia will receive the funding, which will for part of the Government’s spending plans.

A draft budget will be published on December 4.

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“This funding aims to help overcome some of the persistent barriers faced by women, girls and children with disabilities, to ensure they have equal access to education, and are fully included in the social and economic life of their communities,” said First Minister John Swinney as he met with the High Commissioners of Malawi and Zambia and the Deputy High Commissioner of Rwanda this week.

“The Scottish Government has prioritised this work as part of our commitment to international development and good global citizenship, working in partnership with our counterparts in Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia to meet the aims of the UN Sustainable Development goals.

“So I am very pleased to confirm this additional funding in support of those efforts.

“I am also grateful for the work of Oxfam, Link Education International and local partners in all three countries who are delivering these programmes to help some of the world’s most marginalised learners, who have the same right to a quality education as anyone else.”