According to UNICEF’s, all children must have access to primary education that is free, compulsory and of good quality. Education is one of the major keys to ensuring that we win the battle against poverty. When children receive an education, a basic human right, they immediately become far less susceptible to the evils that poverty breeds and are instantly empowered to go further than their parent's generation. Knowledge used correctly is power.

Education Statistics

1. In most developing countries, public school is not free. The costs of books, uniforms, and teachers’ salaries are borne by the students’ families.

2. 67 million primary-school-age children are still denied the right to education.

3. As much as 115 million children of primary school age are not enrolled in school.

4. More than 226 million children do not attend secondary school.

5. Illiteracy is highest amongst females. In more than 20 developing countries, illiteracy rates amongst women exceed 70%.

6. Educated girls and women are less vulnerable to HIV infection, human trafficking and other forms of exploitation and more likely to marry later and have fewer children. 

7. In developing, low-income countries, every additional year of education can increase a person’s future income by an average of 10%.

8. When women and girls receive an income, they re-invest 90% of their income into their families, as opposed to 30-40% for men.

Sources:

www.unicef.org
www.unesco.org

Nelson Mandela said:

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Tragically so much of what we see in education amongst the materially poor is done in a way to transmit information to help a child pass a test, but not in a way that genuinely empowers them with that knowledge. We are working with our partners around the world who have a particular focus on education, helping them to develop smarter ways to impart knowledge. Clearly an educated world is a healthier and more humane world for all.

Will you join us to help create that world?