Summary

Update on the number of out-of-school children, based on statistics in the upcoming 2012 Global Monitoring Report.

Description

This paper, jointly released by the Education for All Global Monitoring Report and the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, shows that progress in reducing the number of children out of school has stalled.

This not only denies millions of children their right to education, but also jeopardizes wider development efforts.

The paper sets out five reasons why reversing this trend is urgent:

• Education reduces poverty and promotes economic growth.
• Maternal education improves children's nutrition and chances of survival.
• Education helps fight HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
• Education promotes gender equality.
• Education promotes democracy and participation in society.

crucial for development (PDF 222kb)">Policy Paper No. 4: Reaching out-of-school children is
crucial for development (PDF 222kb)