9.1 Statistics
- 57 million children do not have access to primary school education. Children from the poorest countries, those living in conflict zones, girls, children living with disabilities and minority groups are most likely to drop out of soon48
- 70 million lower secondary school students are out of school49
- 103 million youth lack basic literacy skills, with more than 60% consisting of women50
9.2 The Challenge
For children born into poverty, education is essential to enable them to escape the poverty cycle. A quality education provides them with the chance to build the life they want, and is a critical determinant of individual empowerment.
However, poverty and conflict often compels children to drop out of school. In developing countries, children from the poorest families are four times more likely to be out of school than those from the richest households51.
9.3 The Opportunity
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” ~Nelson Mandela
Access to qualify education is one of the most important factor in eradicating poverty. UN SDG #4 ensures that all children – girls and boys – complete primary and secondary school education by 2030. This goal also aims to build a pathway towards greater access to affordable and quality higher education, as well as vocational training, which eliminates gender and wealth disparities.52
Resources
48Quality Education. (n.d.). Retrieved from ONE: https://www.one.org/international/globalgoals/quality-education/
49(2015). The Millennium Development Goals Report 2015. United Nations.
50Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning. (n.d.). Retrieved from Sustainable Development Goals: http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/education/
51Goal 4: Quality education. (n.d.). Retrieved from United Nations Development Programme: http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sdgoverview/post-2015-development-agenda/goal-4.html
52Goal 4: Quality education . (n.d.). Retrieved from United Nations Development Programme: http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sdgoverview/post-2015-development-agenda/goal-4.html