Education is the key to a better future, a route out of poverty, and a fundamental human right. But around the world, 260 million children are still missing out on school. A global promise -  World leaders have promised every child a quality, inclusive education by 2030 through their commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 4. However, by current projections we won’t meet that target until 2084 – over 50 years late. Children are only children once, we are at risk of leaving a whole generation behind. There are 263 million children and young people out of school: 58 million primary school age; 60 million lower secondary school age and 142 million upper secondary school age.

Why are children missing school?

Disability Around 24 million children who are out of school have a disability. They might have difficulty in getting to school, or may need special support in the classroom which all too often is not available.

Cost In many countries families have to pay school fees. And even where school is free, the cost of uniforms, books, travel and equipment may be more than families can afford.  

Work Nearly 250 million children have to work to help their families, and for many, this means they can’t get to school.

Distance In rural areas there may simply be no school near enough.

Emergencies If there is war or a natural disaster families may have to run away to safety, or children could even be forced to fight. 65 million children are affected by emergencies and crisis around the world, experiencing disruption to their education. 37 million children are missing out on school on a longer term basis.

Drop-outs If the education isn’t very good, there isn’t much to encourage children to stay and learn. Huge classes, rickety buildings, no water supply, lack of toilets, lack of books: all these can contribute to high drop-out rates.

Not enough trained teachers 2.7 million more trained teachers are needed now to deliver primary education for all children.

More money is needed to tackle these issues. However rich countries are not delivering some of the aid they have promised, and some countries with many children out of school are not spending enough money on education, even when they can afford to.

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FACTS AND FIGURES:

- A third of all children out of school have a disability.

- 54% of all children out of school are girls.

- Half of the world’s out of school children live in communities where the language used in schools is different from the one spoken at home.

 

GOAL 4 TARGETS:

By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and Goal-4 effective learning outcomes

By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and preprimary education so that they are ready for primary education

By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university

By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship

By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations

By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy

By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development

Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, nonviolent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all

By 2020, substantially expand globally the number of scholarships available to developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and African countries, for enrolment in higher education, including vocational training and information and communications technology, technical, engineering and scientific programmes, in developed countries and other developing countries

By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries, especially least developed countries and small island developing states.

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A SLOVAK TEACHER ZUZANA IS SHARING HER PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH SUPPORTING A POOR GIRL IN HER EDUCATION WITH THE CHRISTIAN CHARITY. READ AND BE INSPIRED :)