UK funding for global education welcome but not enough given scale of global crises

This pledge is below the £170 million recommended by the civil society coalition, Send My Friend to School.  
 

Responding from the conference, Rose Caldwell, Chief Executive of Plan International UK, said:  

“The Government’s pledge to Education Cannot Wait is welcome, but we urgently need the UK and the global community to up their game given the scale of the global education crisis. Since the Government’s last pledge to ECW in 2019, children have faced unprecedented crises, with conflict, climate-related disasters, and COVID-19 all curtailing their access to education.

“According to global estimates, 222 million crisis-affected children and adolescents are now in need of urgent education support. Across East Africa alone, the threat of famine means that millions of girls are in danger of being removed from school. Adolescent girls are especially at risk, with early marriage, sexual exploitation, and early pregnancy meaning they are less likely than boys to return to school. For many, the chance for an education will be lost forever.

“If they genuinely want to deliver for children, including millions of girls, the UK Government and international community must put their money where their mouth is and urgently increase funding for education in emergencies.”


Quotes from youth activists:

"When children have been affected by crises, the more you leave them out of school, the more difficult it is for them to come back to education. What is our ask? We are asking the UK Government to close the funding gap. Because when you think about these issues, it’s not something that only one person can do. That’s why we (as youth) are all partnering, we are lending our voices, we are coming up with solutions. We are really passionate, but we also want to work with the Government”

– Sarah, Y4EiE Panel Member, United Kingdom

“In emergency situations, communities become vulnerable, and often it is the most vulnerable who are left behind. Education is human right, and it is important to ensure that education continues - especially for children living in vulnerable situations”

– Aminata, Y4EiE Panel Member, Mali

“Education is important because it is the greater chance to break the cycle of poverty and assists in shaping young people to becomes responsible citizens in their respective countries”

– Tabeth, 25, Zimbabwe
 

NOTES TO EDITORS 

For media interviews or more information, please contact:  

Tom Phillips 
Senior Press Officer  
Email: tom.phillips@plan-uk.org   
Mobile: + 44 (0)7946 648 533