Universal Education

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Why don't children go to school?

According to the United Nations, there are 115 million children who do not attend primary school and fifty-seven percent of them are girls.

It is a misconception that building more schools would alleviate this startling figure. The issue of providing universal primary education is much greater than providing communities in developing countries the bricks, mortar, and books to establish a school—Beyond buildings and supplies there are much more complex barriers to education necessary to first understand and address.

Beyond an Education

For many children around the world, school represents something more than a place to receive an education. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) tells us that school also offers children a safe environment, with support, supervision and socialization. Here they learn life skills that can help them prevent diseases, like how to avoid HIV/AIDS and malaria. They may receive life-saving vaccines, fresh water and nutrient supplementation at school. Educating a girl also dramatically reduces the chance her child will die before age five.

When children do not have access to education they are at a higher risk of disease, exploitation, and abuse throughout their lives. This is particularly true for young women. Investing in girls’ education is one of the most critical ways anyone can assist in improving life for all people.

Download the Universal Primary Education Snapshot to LEARN MORE