And aid for basic education from rich countries is on average a pathetic two per cent of total aid spending. In Indonesia IMF sponsored austerity measures pushed 1 million children out of school. The Global Campaign for Education is a coalition of 400 development NGOs and teachers unions in 180 countries, including ActionAid, Education International, the Global March Against Child Labour and Oxfam. The Global March calls on governments and institutions like the World Bank to honour the promise made ten years ago in Jomtien, Thailand to deliver free, quality education for all by this year. That target was spectacularly missed.
Education is the key to ending poverty and beginning sustainable development.
It cannot be delayed any longer. Free, quality education for all is well within the grasp of world governments if the political will is there.