The United States has supported Education for All by agreeing to two international development frameworks that focus on education.
Although almost 40 million children returned to school this September in the United States, around the world nearly 70 million children are still denied access to quality education – and more than half of them are girls. Investing in the future of these children is a down payment on a more robust global economy, improved global health outcomes, and a more secure world. Consider that:
Worldwide, 700,000 HIV cases could be prevented each year if all children receive a primary education. Each additional year of schooling reduces a young man’s risk of becoming involved in conflict by 20%. Education increases a person’s wages approximately 10%. For girls, the rate of return for one additional year of primary education is as high as 15%.
The United States has supported Education for All by agreeing to two international development frameworks that focus on education. In 2000, the United States signed-on to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which are eight international development goals agreed upon by 193 countries at the United Nations Millennium Summit. These goals aim to end extreme poverty by 2015. Two of these goals, MDGs 2 and 3 deal with education: MDG 2 calls for ALL children to receive a primary education, and MDG 3 calls for the elimination of gender disparity in both primary and secondary education at all levels.
In addition to the MDGs, the United States agreed to the Dakar Framework for Action at the World Education Forum, which was held in Dakar, Senegal in 2000. The Dakar Framework for Acton created six education goals to support achieving MDG # 2 and Education for All children by 2015. The goals support access to primary education for all as well as improving the quality of education, creating curriculums that teach students the skills they need to obtain jobs and improve adult literacy.
Since 2000, the United States’ investment in ensuring access to quality primary education has put an additional 52 million children in primary school between 1999 and 2008. However, much work remains to be done to ensure improved learning opportunities and outcomes for all. Without sustained commitments from integral donor countries like the United States, the world will not achieve the Education for All targets set for 2015. In fact, if current trends continue, there could be as many as 72 million children out of school in 2015 – more than there are today.
Fortunately, there is something that the United States can do to help achieve the MDGs and the Education for All goals – support the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). The GPE, founded by the World Bank in 2002, is the only multilateral global partnership focused on ensuring all children have access to quality education. Investing in the Global Partnership for Education is smart aid — it reduces overhead and coordinates assistance among developing and donor countries to effectively reach kids in need. For more information on the Global Partnership for Education check out this recent blog post.
The Global Partnership for Education will convene November 7–8, where world leaders will pledge new funds to education. If it receives enough funding, the GPE aims to enroll 25 million more children into primary school and reduce the number of school children who can’t reach by 50%.
Despite being a voting member of the board of directors, the U.S. has never contributed funding to Global Partnership for Education. The Global Campaign for Education is asking President Obama to pledge $375 million over three years to the GPE. The GPE’s plan is bold, so now is the time for the U.S. to invest in the future of millions of children.
by Brian Callahan
(Brian Callahan is a Campaign Associate at the Global Campaign for Education, US)
