Education: Raise Awareness

Wealthy countries currently give $2 billion each year to help poor countries pay for basic education. They need to give an additional $10 billion each year to put all children in school by 2015. The United States, for example, gives a total of $465 million each year—the approximate cost of building a mere 17 U.S. high schools.

The Breakdown

What is the challenge?

Education is one of the most powerful, long-term, and sustainable solutions that the world has to reduce global poverty and improve the lives of the 1.2 billion people living on less than $1 a day. It can provide people with the knowledge and skills they need to lead healthy and productive lives as well as promote economic and political stability.

What are the barriers?

In 1948, the United Nations ratified the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, proclaiming that all children have the right to a basic education. Despite this pledge, over 80 million children still do not attend primary school. Some of the most common barriers include: school fees, child labor, health crises such as HIV/AIDS, discrimination and conflict. The ability to attend school is only the first challenge; quality of schooling is also important. In some places, there may be as many as 100-150 children in each classroom and not enough teachers or supplies to support.

Why are girls important?

Educating girls can raise economic productivity, lower infant and maternal mortality, improve nutrition and promote health (including the prevention of HIV/AIDS), and increase the likelihood of education in subsequent generations. Yet, girls currently make up more than half of all children out of school.

When money is scarce, parents tend to place greater value on educating their sons, who are assumed to be the future breadwinners of the family. Girls are often expected to contribute more than boys with regard to household chores and upkeep. The high cost of enrolling girls in school—combined with the loss of valuable help at home—makes it not “worth it” to many poor families.

Additionally, many schools are not sensitive to gender issues. A scarcity of female teachers, a lack of bathroom facilities and a tolerance of sexual harassment make many parents reluctant to send their daughters to school. Concerns about safety also keep girls at home, especially in rural areas, where they may have to walk up to 10 miles just to reach the classroom.

What is the global response?

The nations of the world have twice made commitments to ensure universal primary education by 2015:

In 2000, 164 countries committed to the Education for All goals at the World Education Forum in Dakar, Senegal .

189 countries agreed to the Millennium Development Goals for reducing global poverty by the year 2015, which include universal access to education and equal access among boys and girls.

While some countries are keeping their commitments to these goals, others are falling behind on their pledge to help all children receive a quality, basic education. Out of 22 wealthy countries, the United States is ranked 20th for its level of commitment to funding education.

What are some sustainable solutions?

Ensuring that all children receive the education they deserve will require a coordinated, global effort by individuals, communities, businesses and governments.

Wealthy nations must increase aid and forgive debt. Wealthy countries now give $2 billion each year to help poor countries pay for basic education. They need to give $10 billion more each year to put all children in school by 2015. The United States, for example, gives a total of $465 million each year—the approximate cost of building just 17 U.S. high schools.

Developing countries must work to abolish school fees, build more schools, hire more teachers, encourage parents and communities to invest in girls' education and create girl-friendly schools that are safe and without bias.

What is Mercy Corps doing?

Mercy Corps works with communities around the world to develop creative, local solutions to achieve universal primary education. In Zimbabwe, where there is a 30 percent AIDS rate, UNICEF estimates that 2.6 million children are orphaned or otherwise vulnerable because of the epidemic. Public school fees in Zimbabwe have skyrocketed in the last two years, in some cases by 1,000 percent, making education a luxury for struggling families who have lost working parents to AIDS. The result is that many children—especially young women—miss out on an education because they must stay home to help with chores or work.

On the outskirts of Harare, Zimbabwe, Mercy Corps is providing schools with funding for much-needed infrastructure improvements, textbooks and other supplies. In return, the schools provide tuition waivers for 750 orphans and vulnerable children. The program is making it possible for young people—like 15-year-old Talent, who lost her father to AIDS—to go to school and break the cycle of poverty. Talent, along with 49 other students, is now attending Pote Secondary School, free of charge. Talent says, “My mother no longer struggles to get my school fees. And at school, I am able to study, learn and grow.”