ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar, August 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

As Madagascar's school children prepare to take their annual exams, Presidential Candidate, Lalao Ravalomanana, has warned that the country's future prosperity is being threatened by its poor education system and the risk of a lost generation.

"Access to education is a basic human right, and learning and knowledge provide the foundation for a prosperous future and economic growth. Sadly as a result of poor governance, the young people of today have been deprived of this basic right in recent years, which has contributed to the decline of Madagascar and threatens our future.  

"Under the current government half of our children have dropped out of school since 2009. This means that 500,000 more children are not receiving a proper education. It is our collective responsibility, as parents and members of the community, to reinstate the value of education in Madagascar and encourage young people to look forward to a brighter future.

"As a candidate for the Mouvance, I promise to make education and learning a key focus for my government. We will ensure opportunities are created both in rural areas and in our towns, we will make sure boys and girls are given the same education and that children with learning difficulties are also given the support they need.

"I want to take this opportunity to wish all the children who are taking school exams next week good luck and to remind them that the knowledge they gain in school will empower them to continue our work to build a bright future for this country. We all support today's young people in their endeavours to become educated and confident adults, who will protect our country and culture in years to come, create sustainable growth, and improve living standards by building a stronger and more united Madagascar that will aspire to long-term gains rather than immediate profit.

"So, I urge you to encourage your daughters and sons, nieces and nephews, and neighbours' children to keep their head down and keep studying so that they can go into the world with their head held high, proudly championing Madagascar."

Notes to editor:

Madame Lalao Ravalomanana is the Presidential Candidate for the Mouvance Ravalomanana, a growing coalition of political parties dedicated to bringing a secure, peaceful and prosperous future to Madagascar. For high resolution images free to download, visit the Mouvance Ravalomanana Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/96646855@N04/

For press enquiries, please e-mail press@ravalomanana2013.com or call +261-34-07-200-77.

SOURCE Ravalomanana 2013