UNESCO head calls for education transformation, with 244 million people still out of school – Global issues

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the region with the most children out of school, 98 million wonand this is also the only region where this number is increasing.

Central and South Asia have the second highest proportion of the out-of-school population, with 85 million won.

Educational goals at risk

“No one can accept this situation,”speak Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Superintendent, stressed the need to respect every child’s right to education.

“Regarding these outcomes, the 2030 goal of quality education for all, set by the United Nations, is at risk of not being achieved,” she warned. “We need global mobilization to put education at the top of the international agenda. ”

Ms. Azoulay will extend her call at the landmark Education Transformation Summit on September 19 at UN Headquarters in New York.

UN Secretary General António Guterres convened the Summit to mobilize actions and solutions, including redressing school loss caused by COVID-19 pandemic

Closing the gender gap

On a more positive note, UNESCO data confirmed that the disparity in the proportion of girls and boys who are out of school has closed worldwide.

Back in 2000, the sex difference among children of primary school age was 2.5 percentage points and among children of upper secondary school age it was 3.9 percentage points.

These gaps have been down to 0although regional disparities still exist.

Clouds of uncertainty Ukraine returns to class

Concerningly, four million boys and girls in Ukraine are facing an uncertain start of the school year, said the head of the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, speak on Thursday.

Catherine Russell concludes a three-day visit to the country, where she meets with students, parents and teachers ravaged by warnow is the seventh month.

“Children are returning to school – many of which have been damaged in the war – with stories of devastation, it is uncertain whether their teachers and friends will be there to greet them. Many parents are hesitant to send children to schoolI don’t know if they’ll be safe,” she said.

Thousands of schools across Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed as a result of the fighting, with less than 60% deemed safe and eligible to reopen.

Ms. Russell visited a restored elementary school that was damaged in the early weeks of the conflict. Only 300 students could attend at one time due to the capacity of the school’s bomb shelter, which was only 14% of the school’s pre-war capacity.

‘Bomb shelters instead of playgrounds’

UNICEF is working with the Ukrainian authorities to get kids back to learning – both in the classroom, when it is deemed safe, and through online or community-based alternatives if face-to-face education is not possible.

Since the war began, about 760,000 children have received formal or informal education. In addition, more than 1.7 million children and carers have benefited from UNICEF-supported mental health and psychosocial support interventions.

“Schools in Ukraine hungry for resources to build bomb shelters instead of playgrounds, with children being taught about no-explosion ordinances instead of road safety,” Ms. Russell said. “This is an obvious fact for Ukrainian students, parents and teachers.”

Getting kids back to school includes efforts like renovating schools, providing laptops, tablets, and supplies to teachers and students, and teaching children and teachers how to stay safe. all in wartime.

‘Sad reality’ affects young minds

Ms. Russell said the education of Ukrainian children has been seriously damaged.

“After more than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic and six months since the war escalated, their physical and mental health is under great stress. More needs to be done to address what for many is already a sad reality. ”

Meanwhile, Ukrainian children who are currently refugees face other challenges. About 650,000 people living in 12 host countries were still not enrolled in national education systems as of the end of July.

UNICEF has supported almost half of formal or informal education. The UN agency is also working with governments and partners to ensure that Ukrainian refugee children are enrolled in schools or have access to online learning.

Winter worries

Across Ukraine, UNICEF has reached an additional 616,000 people – including the most vulnerable families – through humanitarian transfers. However, when winter came, Miss Russell was afraid demand may exceed resources.

“Unless there is peace, the lives of children and their families in Ukraine There will be more challenges when winter approaches,” she said

“We know freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall are only a few months away, which is why UNICEF is working with governments and partners to prepare winter supplies, including warm clothing. , shoes, generators, heaters and wood pellets.”

During her visit, Ms. Russell also met with First Lady Olena Zelenska, complemented the efforts of the Ukrainian people – including teachers, parents and medical staff – and expressed gratitude for the service. long-term partnership between the Government and UNICEF.

She also discussed ways to further strengthen the overall response to the humanitarian crisis and the importance of safe, timely and unimpeded humanitarian access for all children in need. save.