New UK investment to improve education for millions
27 Jun 2014 11:55 AM
The UK announces support
for plans to help up to 29 million girls and boys in developing countries
receive a decent education.
The UK will pledge to support
the Global Partnership for Education’s plan to help up to 29 million
girls and boys in developing countries receive a decent education,
International Development Minister Lynne Featherstone has
announced.
The investment will ensure
children can attend primary and lower secondary schools, improve the quality of
teaching and reduce the number of boys and girls who drop out. The new
commitment will be made during the Partnership’s summit in
Brussels.
The pledge will be contingent on
further improvement of the Partnership’s work and Britain expects other
donors, developing countries, private companies and foundations to increase
their own contributions to improving education.
Lynne Featherstone
said:
Every child deserves an
education and the chance to get a job to escape poverty. The UK is the biggest
supporter of primary and lower secondary education in the developing world and
our renewed commitment to the Global Partnership will help millions of children
get the education they need.
We cannot do this alone. That is
why our support is contingent on other donors, developing countries, private
companies or foundations stepping-up their support for the Partnership’s
important work.
The UK will commit up to
£300 million to the Global Partnership for Education over the next four
years. This increase is contingent on reform, support from other donors and our
contribution not exceeding 15 per cent of the total amount
pledged.
Notes to
editors
-
Since 2002, the Global
Partnership for Education has supported 46 developing countries to ensure 22
million girls and boys to go to school. Despite this progress, 57 million
children remain out of school across the world and 250 million children cannot
count or read despite up to four years in school.
-
Global Partnership for Education
is governed by a constituency-based, 19-member Board of Directors. The UK
shares a constituency with Canada. The UK is the largest donor to the Global
Partnership for Education (GPE), giving on average £50 million per year
from 2012-2014 to support basic education in low-income and fragile and
conflict-affected countries.