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Growing Crisis in Education

A new report from Education Cannot Wait (ECW)—a fund established under the United Nations—paints a worrying picture of global education access for children affected by crises. Released on the International Day of Education, the report reveals that nearly 234 million school-aged children worldwide are in desperate need of support to obtain a quality education—a significant increase of 35 million over the past three years.

Alarming Statistics

Out of the total number of affected children and adolescents, about 85 million, or 37%, are completely out of school. The primary factors contributing to this crisis include escalating conflicts and increasingly severe weather events caused by climate change. Among the most vulnerable are refugee children, internally displaced individuals, girls, and children with disabilities, all of whom face additional barriers to education in these challenging times.

Despite the heightened need for educational support, funding has stagnated. Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocated for education has diminished recently, and the UN estimates that there is an annual funding gap of $100 billion to meet global education goals in low- and middle-income countries as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Voices of Concern

On this International Day of Education, Yasmine Sherif, the Executive Director of ECW, emphasizes the urgency of the situation. “Nearly a quarter of a billion boys and girls in crisis worldwide are denied their fundamental right to quality education. There is an immediate need for additional funding from both public and private sector donors to ensure they can learn safely and effectively. Unlocking their potential for thriving and making positive changes is the most transformative investment we can make in accelerating progress towards the SDGs,” she says.

Long-term Threats

The report further highlights that armed conflicts, forced displacement, climate hazards, epidemics, and socio-economic challenges pose long-term threats to the health, education, and welfare of children. The crises are becoming more intense, widespread, and interconnected. Over the last five years, the number of global conflicts has doubled, impacting 50 countries in 2024.

From the 234 million affected children, 85 million (or 37%) are entirely out of school. Of these, 52% are girls. Also, 17% (about 15 million) are refugees or internally displaced, and over 20% are children with disabilities. Five long-term crises—namely in Sudan, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Pakistan—account for nearly half of the children who cannot attend school.

The situation is dire, particularly for young children. Almost one-third of crisis-affected primary school-aged children are out of school, with girls comprising 52% of this group. For secondary education, the statistics worsen—36% of younger children and 47% of older children lack access. Even for those who are enrolled, many are not achieving basic learning outcomes. Merely 17% of crisis-affected younger children can acquire minimum reading skills by the end of primary school. Interestingly, primary school girls consistently outperform boys, representing 52% of those who succeed academically.

Geographic Disparities

Around half of the affected school-aged children worldwide reside in Sub-Saharan Africa, which faces the most daunting challenges in realizing every child’s right to education. The report also underscores how climate change exacerbates the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, further limiting education access. In 2024, devastating floods hit regions in the Sahel, East Africa, and Central Asia, while severe droughts plagued parts of North-Western and Southern Africa, as well as sections of North and South America. The cumulative effects of these crises have intensified food shortages and led to unprecedented levels of global displacement.

To address these interlinked issues, ECW and its global strategic partners are seeking an additional $600 million to achieve the objectives outlined in their four-year strategic plan. With an increase in funding from governmental donors, the private sector, and wealthy individuals, ECW aims to reach 20 million crisis-affected children by 2026, providing them with security, opportunities, and hope for quality education.