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Education is the bedrock of strong, stable and prosperous societies. Inclusive public education is an engine for improving economic prospects and stimulating growth, reducing inequalities, and improving health and well-being.
Education is also an important driver of peace. Inclusive, quality education enables human rights, improves social cohesion, promotes tolerance, and fosters civic participation and more open, democratic societies. Schooling also builds the skill base young women and men need to resolve conflicts, find productive employment and otherwise contribute to their societies and economies.
Education should be at the forefront of global strategies and investments aimed at fostering a more peaceful and stable future, particularly in a world that is already becoming less peaceful.
Instead, education globally is in a state of crisis.
Nearly 7 in 10 of the world’s children are unable to read a simple story by age 10;1 a quarter of a billion children and youth are out of school entirely.2 Meanwhile, the proliferation of conflict and other crises is upending the lives of millions of children, exacerbating this already dire situation. Many countries experiencing fragility, conflict and economic stress have a large proportion of youth in their population (‘youth bulge’) and high rates of population growth.3 Without additional investments in education, more and more children and young people in these countries are at risk of being out of education, employment or training in the future—putting their countries at higher risk of conflict and instability.
In an increasingly interconnected world, this will have global economic and social impacts.
Education must be prioritized as a global investment now.
The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and its partners are working to:
Prioritize investment in education in countries affected by conflict and fragility
Greatly expand investments in the education of girls and women
Develop 21st century skills in today’s children and youths through the provision of quality, equitable learning opportunities
Enhance cooperation between humanitarian, development and private sector organizations in providing the range of resources needed to transform education systems in countries affected by conflict and fragility.