The Challenge

January 25th, 2007

• Under the Millennium Development Goals, the international community is committed to providing all children with access to a full course of primary education by 2015. It is also committed to eliminating gender disparity at all levels of education.

• 100 million children currently lack access to primary schooling, with only 60% of African children completing primary education. In developing countries, only half of secondary school-age children are enrolled in secondary education.

• Access to education is increasing, but educational quality appears to be continuing to suffer. Many children leave school without learning basic reading and writing skills. Student-teacher ratios are increasing, as more children enter the school system. In some countries, class sizes of over 60 are found. There are 71 primary school pupils to every teacher in Congo, compared to 12 in Switzerland.

• Teachers in many countries are inadequately trained, under-paid and poorly motivated. Although buildings and technology are also important, supporting teachers is the best way to strengthen educational systems.

• In recent years, the international community has invested heavily in health. In five years, the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has committed $6.8 billion to health projects in 136 countries. Its partnership model – bringing together governments, civil society, business, foundations and communities – has won many plaudits.

• The mission for a Global Fund for Education would be to invest in a quality education for all and to nurture a future generation of global citizens. The initial focus would be on supporting and developing teachers, and developing curricula that teach the skills needed for global citizenship.

• The World Economic Forum has shown a commitment to education through its Global Education Initiative. Its research shows that half of business leaders believe that their educational system is inadequate, with only 35% of business leaders in low income countries believing their education system is fit for purpose.

• The Forum is in a position to use its unparalleled ability to bring together world leaders to focus anew on the world’s educational challenges and to help catalyse the creation of the new Fund.

Entry Filed under: Global Fund for Education