Following today\u2019s Global Education Summit announcements where donors raised around $4 billion, and 18 Heads of State endorsed President Kenyatta\u2019s domestic call to action and committed to $192 billion in domestic funding for education for the next five years, the ONE Campaign has released the following statement.<\/p>\n
Speaking about what the outcome of the GES means for the UK as host of the conference, Lis Wallace, UK Head of Advocacy, said:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAfter all the rhetoric from leaders about the importance of investing in education, this is a decidedly underwhelming result. Although these commitments will help secure the futures of many more children, the reality is that we\u2019re around $1 billion short of the original target. Unfortunately, the report card for leaders after the summit tells an all-too-familiar story \u2013 they must do better.<\/i><\/p>\n \u201cAs host, the UK has to shoulder responsibility for this outcome. Despite bold words and bombast about the importance of girls\u2019 education, the Prime Minister has not demonstrated the leadership expected. The UK aid cuts have impaired the government\u2019s efforts to leverage others, and damaged our credibility. This is not just letting down millions of children, it\u2019s a bad look for British diplomacy.<\/i><\/p>\n \u201cTo fill the gap, all governments must top up their contributions \u2013 including the UK.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n Speaking about what the outcome of the GES means globally, Edwin Ikhuoria, Africa Executive Director for ONE, said:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe whole world is still trying to escape the aftershocks of the pandemic but this cannot come at the expense of the next generation. Education is the foundation for all the progress we need to see and can never be relegated to the sidelines. It\u2019s unfathomable that by 2030, 750 million people \u2013 or around 1 in 10 globally \u2013 may not have gained the basic literacy skills by the age of 10.<\/i><\/p>\n \u201cWe can\u2019t afford to wait another five years to get this right. We need to see real ambition backed up by much stronger leadership. Leaders must now urgently look for new ways to close the gap, and ensure that budgets are spent efficiently and in a targeted manner.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n ENDS<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Notes to Editors:<\/p>\n