Urgent Need for Support as Nearly 250 Million School Children Face Crises Worldwide
A startling report released on the International Day of Education by Education Cannot Wait (ECW) highlights a pressing issue: close to 250 million school-age children around the globe are facing crises that hinder their access to quality education. This alarming statistic marks an increase of 35 million over the past three years, underscoring a growing urgency for intervention.
The Global Estimates Report reveals that as of late 2024, the number of school-age children requiring critical educational support due to crisis situations has soared to 234 million. Out of these, a concerning 85 million, or about 37%, are completely out of school. Factors such as escalating conflicts and increasingly severe weather phenomena jeopardize the future of these vulnerable children. Those hardest hit include refugees, internally displaced individuals, and children with disabilities.
Despite the soaring need for assistance, funding for education in emergency situations has stagnated after several years of promising growth. Furthermore, the portion of Official Development Assistance (ODA) directed at education has diminished in recent years. The United Nations has voiced concerns over a staggering annual shortfall of $100 billion that is necessary to meet educational goals outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in low- and middle-income countries.
"On this International Day of Education, we raise an alarm," stated Yasmine Sherif, the Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait. "Almost 250 million girls and boys in crisis situations are being denied their basic right to quality education. Immediate additional funding from both public and private donors is critically needed to provide them with the protective and quality learning opportunities they deserve. Unlocking their potential to thrive and become positive change agents is the most transformative investment we can make to accelerate progress towards the SDGs."
Key findings of the report indicate that exposure to armed conflicts, forced displacements, climate-induced dangers, epidemics, and socio-economic challenges pose long-term threats to the health, education, and well-being of children. The report further emphasizes that these crises are becoming increasingly intense, widespread, and interconnected; in the last five years, the number of global conflicts has doubled. By 2024, it is projected that 50 countries will experience extreme, high, or unstable conflict levels.
Among the 234 million identified crisis-affected children and adolescents, 85 million (37%) are completely disengaged from formal schooling. Not only is this challenge severe for school-age children, but it has inflicted particular hardship on girls. Of the 85 million children out of school, 52% are girls, highlighting the systemic barriers they face. Additionally, 17% of these children (approximately 15 million) are classified as refugees or internally displaced persons, while over 20% have disabilities.
Prolonged crises in regions such as Sudan, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Pakistan account for nearly half of this out-of-school population. The data indicates that nearly one-third of crisis-affected children of primary school age are not enrolled in school, meaning that around 52% of those not in school are girls. The challenges extend to secondary education as well, with a shocking 36% of children of the first cycle and 47% of those of the second cycle unable to access schooling.
Furthermore, for those children who are enrolled, many are trailing behind academically. Only 17% of school-age children affected by crises achieve a minimum level of reading competence by the end of primary school. Interestingly, girls in primary education systematically outperform their male counterparts within this group, accounting for 52% of the total.
The report emphasizes that a significant portion of school-age children affected by crises globally reside in sub-Saharan Africa, which faces the most intricate challenges in ensuring all children receive an education. Additionally, the impacts of climate change are exacerbating the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, further displacing children from schools. In 2024, regions in the Sahel, East Africa, and Central Asia faced devastating floods, while severe droughts hit northwest and southern Africa and parts of the Americas. These combined crises have intensified food insecurity, resulting in record levels of global displacement.
To tackle these interconnected challenges, ECW and its strategic global partners are calling for an additional $600 million in funding to achieve the goals outlined in the fund’s four-year strategic plan. With increased financial support from public donors, the private sector, and high-net-worth individuals, ECW aims to reach 20 million children affected by crises by 2026, providing them with the security, opportunity, and hope for quality education in the future.
The Global Estimates Report reveals that as of late 2024, the number of school-age children requiring critical educational support due to crisis situations has soared to 234 million. Out of these, a concerning 85 million, or about 37%, are completely out of school. Factors such as escalating conflicts and increasingly severe weather phenomena jeopardize the future of these vulnerable children. Those hardest hit include refugees, internally displaced individuals, and children with disabilities.
Despite the soaring need for assistance, funding for education in emergency situations has stagnated after several years of promising growth. Furthermore, the portion of Official Development Assistance (ODA) directed at education has diminished in recent years. The United Nations has voiced concerns over a staggering annual shortfall of $100 billion that is necessary to meet educational goals outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in low- and middle-income countries.
"On this International Day of Education, we raise an alarm," stated Yasmine Sherif, the Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait. "Almost 250 million girls and boys in crisis situations are being denied their basic right to quality education. Immediate additional funding from both public and private donors is critically needed to provide them with the protective and quality learning opportunities they deserve. Unlocking their potential to thrive and become positive change agents is the most transformative investment we can make to accelerate progress towards the SDGs."
Key findings of the report indicate that exposure to armed conflicts, forced displacements, climate-induced dangers, epidemics, and socio-economic challenges pose long-term threats to the health, education, and well-being of children. The report further emphasizes that these crises are becoming increasingly intense, widespread, and interconnected; in the last five years, the number of global conflicts has doubled. By 2024, it is projected that 50 countries will experience extreme, high, or unstable conflict levels.
Among the 234 million identified crisis-affected children and adolescents, 85 million (37%) are completely disengaged from formal schooling. Not only is this challenge severe for school-age children, but it has inflicted particular hardship on girls. Of the 85 million children out of school, 52% are girls, highlighting the systemic barriers they face. Additionally, 17% of these children (approximately 15 million) are classified as refugees or internally displaced persons, while over 20% have disabilities.
Prolonged crises in regions such as Sudan, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Pakistan account for nearly half of this out-of-school population. The data indicates that nearly one-third of crisis-affected children of primary school age are not enrolled in school, meaning that around 52% of those not in school are girls. The challenges extend to secondary education as well, with a shocking 36% of children of the first cycle and 47% of those of the second cycle unable to access schooling.
Furthermore, for those children who are enrolled, many are trailing behind academically. Only 17% of school-age children affected by crises achieve a minimum level of reading competence by the end of primary school. Interestingly, girls in primary education systematically outperform their male counterparts within this group, accounting for 52% of the total.
The report emphasizes that a significant portion of school-age children affected by crises globally reside in sub-Saharan Africa, which faces the most intricate challenges in ensuring all children receive an education. Additionally, the impacts of climate change are exacerbating the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, further displacing children from schools. In 2024, regions in the Sahel, East Africa, and Central Asia faced devastating floods, while severe droughts hit northwest and southern Africa and parts of the Americas. These combined crises have intensified food insecurity, resulting in record levels of global displacement.
To tackle these interconnected challenges, ECW and its strategic global partners are calling for an additional $600 million in funding to achieve the goals outlined in the fund’s four-year strategic plan. With increased financial support from public donors, the private sector, and high-net-worth individuals, ECW aims to reach 20 million children affected by crises by 2026, providing them with the security, opportunity, and hope for quality education in the future.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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