The findings of a recent report have shed light on the concerning plateau in global efforts to ensure universal education. Despite a reduction of only 1 percent in the out-of-school population over nearly a decade, the progress has not been as significant as hoped. The lack of substantial improvement in this area is a cause for alarm, as education is recognized as a key driver of prosperous, inclusive, and peaceful societies.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay emphasized the importance of quality education for all children across the globe. She stated that without serious measures to give every child the same chance to learn and thrive, education risks becoming a privilege for a few. While there has been progress in terms of educational enrollment, with 110 million children entering school since the adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goal on Education in 2015, disparities continue to persist.
One positive aspect highlighted in the report is the improvement in completion rates, with 40 million more young people finishing secondary school compared to 2015. However, the gap between rich and poor nations remains a major concern. In low-income countries, 33 percent of school-aged children and youth are out of school, compared to just 3 percent in high-income countries.
The report specifically pointed out the challenges faced by sub-Saharan Africa, where more than half of all out-of-school children and adolescents globally reside. This region continues to struggle with providing access to quality education for all its youth.
In a separate report released on the same day, the UNESCO-World Bank Education Finance Watch 2024 highlighted chronic underinvestment as a primary obstacle to achieving universal education. The disparity in education spending between high-income and low- and middle-income countries is staggering. While high-income countries invest $8,543 per learner, low- and middle-income countries manage only $55 per student.
The situation is further exacerbated by debt burdens, particularly in Africa, where countries now spend almost as much on debt servicing as they do on education. Additionally, global education aid has declined from 9.3% in 2019 to 7.6% in 2022, further straining resources for education.
In response to these challenges, UNESCO, in collaboration with Brazil’s G20 presidency, is advocating for innovative financing mechanisms to address the global education crisis. One such proposal is the concept of debt-for-education swaps, which could help alleviate the financial burden on countries struggling to invest in education.
Brazil’s Education Minister Camilo Santana emphasized the importance of equity and inclusion in education as fundamental to the country’s vision of social development. Leaders gathered at the UNESCO Global Education Meeting in Fortaleza to discuss concrete actions to tackle the issues highlighted in the reports and work towards a more equitable and inclusive education system worldwide.
Overall, the reports underscore the urgent need for increased investment in education, particularly in low-income countries and regions facing significant challenges in providing access to quality education for all. Without concerted efforts and innovative solutions to address these issues, the goal of universal education may remain elusive for millions of children and youth around the world.
