Introduction

The power of education

Imagine not being able to read – you could take the wrong medicine, be sold faulty goods or have your money stolen, and you would have difficulty getting a good job and learning new things. Education or learning, at school or in the community (known as informal education), is one of the most powerful tools for reducing poverty and inequality. Knowledge and skills open up new views about the world and create choices and the confidence to take up opportunities to improve health, nutrition, income, living standards and to participate in decision-making.

The right to at least a primary education is recognised in Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the second Millennium Development Goal.

State of the world’s education

Around the world 67 million primary school-age children do not go to school. Even those who do attend school may leave before they reach grade five. Poverty, inequality and culture are the main reasons children do not go to school. Parents may be too poor to buy enough food to keep their children healthy, to pay school fees or buy uniforms and books. Education of girls may be considered unnecessary. Children may be sick or needed at home to care for younger siblings or grandparents, or they may need to work to help the family earn an income. Sometimes schools are too far away or crowded. Students may not understand the language or the importance of what is taught. There may not be enough teachers or those who are available might not be well trained or paid. Sometimes teachers themselves may not be at school because they have to earn a living elsewhere.

Quality education

A quality education requires students to be enrolled and attend school, well-trained and supported teachers, adequate facilities and a relevant curriculum based on recognition of local language and culture. Providing a meal at school encourages attendance.

Education for all

Some of the ways education is being improved are:

• expanding early childhood care and education
• providing free and compulsory education of good quality
• promoting the acquisition of life skills by adolescents and youth
• increasing adult literacy rates
• eliminating gender disparities.

Responses

Australia’s response

The Australian Government’s overseas aid program helps countries develop better quality, cost-effective and community-focused education services, which will lead to better long-term education outcomes.

Australia’s education assistance aims to reach the disadvantaged and marginalised, including through the provision of more equitable access to quality education for girls and children with disabilities.

Australia is also assisting to improve the quality of education through the provision of basic education materials and textbooks, enhancing teaching skills and curriculums, and strengthening management skills in schools to ensure better use of existing resources.

Australia provides technical and vocational education assistance and higher education scholarships to help build an educated, skilled labour force.

Source

AusAID Education www.ausaid.gov.au/aidissues/education/Pages/home.aspx

International responses

In recent years there have been a number of conferences and commitments to improve education. The Education for All conference in Jomtien, Thailand, held in 1990, promoted universal education, as does Millennium Development Goal 2. Enrolment in primary education has increased, but achieving universal primary education by 2015 is not on target. In half of the least developed countries, at least two out of five children in primary school drop out before reaching the final year.

The World Bank and education
Global Campaign for Education