New education report 'wake-up call' for global leaders

• Ending extreme poverty by 2030 relies on ensuring access to quality education for all children
• Only one third of countries have reached their global education goals
• A clear post-2015 development framework must have concrete mechanisms to ensure all children have equal access to and inclusion in quality education

MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 9, 2015 /CNW/ - The release of UNESCO's education report today should serve as a wake-up call to leaders working on the next set of global poverty goals, says World Vision.

The 2015 report, Education for All 2000-2015: Achievements and Challenges, has tracked global progress toward the Millennium Development Goals since 2000, and found that the world has made some gains toward 'education for all.' However, the report states that only one third of countries have reached their global education goals.

"We're far from finished our work ensuring access to quality education for all children," says Linda Hiebert, senior director of education and life skills at World Vision International.

According to the report, only half of all countries have reached the goal of universal primary education. Thirty-eight per cent of countries still remain very far from reaching this goal, particularly for girls, ethnic minorities and the most marginalised, like those living in conflict zones.

The poorest girls continued to be most likely never to have attended school. In Niger and Guinea, approximately 70 per cent of the poorest girls had never attended school – notably higher than the share of the poorest boys – compared with less than 20 percent of the richest boys¹.

"We're still not educating the most vulnerable children," says Ms. Hiebert. "We must continue to remind leaders that children in conflict-affected states, girls, children with disabilities, and other marginalised groups must be prioritised in the new post-2015 framework. In fact, it makes finalising the new post-2015 framework even more urgent."

According to the report, at current rates, only half of all children in low-income countries are expected to complete lower secondary education by 2030. Leaders have the chance through upcoming World Education Forum meetings in Korea in May provide opportunities to change the course of education for children, says Ms. Hiebert. World Vision recommends that the new Sustainable Development Goals include concrete ways to ensure all children have equal access to and inclusion in quality education – from early childhood through early secondary school.

"When the girl from the poorest family in the most crowded slum or remotest village can realise the dream her secondary education can provide, only then we will know we are achieving sustainable development," says World Vision director of external engagement Chris Derksen-Hiebert.

"World Vision believes we should stop at nothing to see that happen."

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¹ Education For All Global Monitoring Report (2015) Education for All 2000-2015: Achievements and Challenges, Paris: UNESCO

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit our News Centre worldvision.ca 

SOURCE World Vision Canada

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