251 Million Children Still Out of School: UNESCO Report
Dr. Sajeev M S
Educational & Management Expert, Accredited Teacher & Soft Skills Trainer, Certified Counselor, Writer, and Author
As highlighted in the latest UNESCO report education for all is still lagging behind major efforts across the world but still, there are 251 million children and youth out of school. This is a constant problem, and it gives people a clear view of the challenges people face in their pursuit of education even in this century.
Challenges in Global Education
1. Poverty: Child education costs such as uniforms, books, or transport fare is a challenge most families cannot meet.
2. Gender Disparities: Girls specifically in the developing world suffer from cultural constraints that deny them shot at a better education.
3. Conflict and Displacement: Several wars combined with crises compel children to drop school for different moments during essential developmental epochs in their lives.
4. Lack of Infrastructure: There is also a culture of frequent school dropouts, in remote areas and underdeveloped areas, schools cannot be easily accessed or are barely stocked with the basic requirements expected of them.
“Education is the key driver of prosperous, inclusive and peaceful societies. Yet, quality education risks being the privilege of a few, if we do not take serious measures to give every child across the globe the same chance to learn and thrive. Today, at the UNESCO Global Education Meeting, we call for bold leadership to change course and bolster investments in education, including through renewed solidarity mechanisms between high- and lower-income countries”.
-Audrey Azoulay, (UNESCO Director-General )
Regions Most Affected
Pre-primary education is almost nonexistent in many developing countries, especially in sub Sahara region where millions of children are out of school. Likewise, areas of refugee and violence including the Middle East and South Asia show reduced education literacy dramatically.
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Proposed Solutions
To combat these issues, UNESCO advocates for:
1. Increased Investment: It is up to the governments and other International organizations to map out and make available adequate funds to enhance necessary structures for quality education.
2. Targeted Policies: Elimination of gender discrimination and assistance of endangered categories of people are necessary.
3. Global Partnerships: The realization of integrated education will require partnerships between governments, civil society organizations and other actors in the society.
4. Innovation in Education Delivery: Harnessing innovation and convenient learning platforms have the potential to assist in reaching out to children from hard-to-reach, and conflict-prone regions.
The Path Forward
The education crisis can only be solved with concerted international efforts. Education is not only a human right but equally important as a key facet of sustainable development and economic growth. Current global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are admirable, not to mention education for all is an evident goal.
To gain a rich insight into the matter, read UNESCO’s full comprehensive summary report on the topic here
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