The Senior Director for Education at the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Emma Gremley, emphasized that a staggering 258 million children and youth are currently deprived of education worldwide due to global crisis.
In her statement acknowledging the International Day for Education in 2024, Gremley expressed concern for the increasing challenges faced by millions of children and youth whose education has been disrupted due to various crises.
The task of ensuring the right to quality education for every child is becoming more formidable. Factors contributing to this challenge include the alarming statistic of 258 million children and youth being out of school globally, coupled with diminishing government budgets and escalating interest rates.
These circumstances are expected to intensify the strain on funding and resources for education in emergencies, an area historically receiving only about 3 per cent of all humanitarian spending. The overall global outlook appears grim.
Despite these challenges, Gremley affirmed that the IRC and its partners worldwide recognize the potential for positive change with dedicated support and sustained funding.
Evidence-based solutions to educational challenges, such as learning through play programs in East Africa, alternative learning initiatives to reintegrate out-of-school children in Nigeria, and the innovative Ahlan Simsim program in the Middle East, can have a profound impact on children, their families, and entire societies.
Allocating funds to proven education programs is considered one of the most impactful and strategic investments in shaping the future generation and collective well-being.
Looking ahead, the Education Unit at IRC, in collaboration with partners within and outside the organization, is committed to delivering urgently needed education programs in over 20 countries globally.
Additionally, efforts will continue to support an informed and innovative humanitarian community through rigorous research and a willingness to take calculated risks.
The ultimate goal is to ensure that every child develops the academic and social-emotional skills necessary to lead secure, productive, and fulfilling lives.
In her words:
“In the year ahead, the Education Unit at IRC and our partners within our organization and elsewhere will continue the immediate work of delivering these urgently needed education programs to more than 20 countries around the world.
We will also press ahead with our efforts to support a more informed and innovative humanitarian community through rigorous research and a willingness to take informed chances – all with the goal of ensuring every child develops the academic and social-emotional skills they need to lead safe, productive and fulfilling lives.”
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