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Urgent Need for Quality Education Support for 234 Million Children in Crisis

On the International Day of Education, the organization Education Cannot Wait (ECW) has released a pivotal report titled the Global Estimates Report, highlighting the escalating plight of children in crisis around the world. The report underscores the stark reality that 234 million school-age children require immediate support to access quality education, marking an alarming rise of 35 million over the past three years.

The report illustrates a grim situation: out of the 234 million identified children affected by crises, approximately 85 million, or 37%, are entirely out of school. This alarming statistic points to the urgent need for resources and support to ensure these children's right to education is upheld.

Factors Contributing to the Crisis

The increase in the number of children requiring educational assistance is attributed to several compounding factors. Heightened conflicts worldwide, coupled with the escalating frequency and severity of extreme weather events, threaten the current and future prospects of these vulnerable children. Refugees, internally displaced persons, girls, and children with disabilities are among the most impacted.

Despite the increasing need for educational support, the report highlights a stagnation in humanitarian funding for education. Over recent years, the proportion of public development assistance allocated to education has also seen a decline. According to the United Nations, there exists an annual funding deficit of $100 billion to meet the education goals set for low-income and lower-middle-income countries outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In the words of Yasmine Sherif, Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait, "On this International Day of Education, we sound the alarm. Nearly a quarter-billion boys and girls in crisis globally are being denied their fundamental right to quality education. Urgent additional funding from public and private sector donors is essential to provide them with the protective, quality learning opportunities they deserve. Realizing their potential to thrive and become positive change agents is the most transformative investment we can make to accelerate progress toward the SDGs."

The Alarming Statistics

The report exposes a silent global emergency, with the following key statistics:

• - Of the 234 million affected children and adolescents, 85 million are completely out of school.
• - Among these children, 52% are girls.
• - 17% (or 15 million) are refugees or internally displaced persons.
• - More than 20% are children with disabilities.

Long-standing crises in the Sudan, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Pakistan account for nearly half of the out-of-school children. Notably, nearly a third of children of primary school age affected by crises are not enrolled in education (with girls constituting 52% of this group). The situation is equally dire at the secondary education level, with 36% of children of lower secondary age and 47% of those of upper secondary age without access to education.

Even among those enrolled, many children affected by crises are lagging behind. Only 17% of children of primary school age in crisis settings achieve the minimum reading proficiency by the end of primary school. Interestingly, girls in primary school perform better than boys, comprising 52% of those achieving minimum proficiency.

Regional Challenges

Approximately half of the school-age children impacted by crises globally reside in sub-Saharan Africa, a region identified as facing the most complex challenges in ensuring children's right to education. Furthermore, the exacerbating impact of climate change contributes to the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, further pushing children out of school. In 2024, significant floods have devastated parts of the Sahel, East Africa, and Central Asia, while severe droughts have afflicted North-West and Southern Africa as well as certain regions of the Americas. The cumulative effects of these crises have led to aggravating food insecurity and record levels of global displacement.

To tackle these interconnected challenges, ECW and its global strategic partners are calling for an additional $600 million in funding to meet the objectives set out in the Fund's four-year strategic plan. Through increased support from public donors, the private sector, and affluent individuals, ECW aims to provide safety, opportunity, and hope to 20 million children in crisis through quality education by 2026.

Conclusion

The findings of the Global Estimates Report serve as a wake-up call to the international community. The path forward requires urgent action to secure funding and resources that ensure every child, regardless of their circumstances, has the right to a quality education. Ensuring educational access is not just an obligation but a vital investment in a better future for our global community.