Education is the driving force behind any strong economy and a prerequisite for social and economic growth. It creates opportunities and provides societies with a better educated and skilled workforce which is necessary for stimulating development. But in sub-Saharan Africa, the region with the highest levels of illiteracy in the world, many pupils are still being denied their fundamental right to quality education. According to the United Nations more than 40 million children - almost half of the continent’s primary school-age-pupils - are not in school. About two-thirds of these children are female. Fewer than half of Africa’s children get a chance to finish primary school.