APPG on Global Education Hosts Send My Friend to School’s New Campaign Launch

On Monday, 10th March, the APPG on Global Education hosted the Parliamentary launch of Send My Friend to School’s new campaign, “Invest in My Friends’ Learning”. The event brought together Parliamentarians, FCDO officials, civil society members, education advocates, and Send My Friend to School Champions, to discuss the findings of Send My Friend’s latest policy report on global education financing. The discussion also explored key recommendations on how the UK can take decisive action to ensure every child receives their right to education.

In his opening remarks, event Chair and Co-Chair of the APPG on Global Education, Lord German, highlighted some of the growing challenges in global education funding and the urgent need for action. He reaffirmed that education is a cornerstone for building a more peaceful, prosperous, equitable, and sustainable world and is critical to achieving all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Why is this campaign important?

With only five years left to achieve the SDGs, education remains one of the goals furthest off track. The global financing gap for education is estimated at an immense $97 billion annually across the world’s 79 lowest-income countries. Over the past decade, UK funding for global education has steadily declined, dropping from 13.5% of its bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA) in 2013 to just 3.5% in 2023. The Send My Friend to School Coalition stresses that the recent announcement of ODA budget cuts from 0.5% to 0.3% of Gross National Income (GNI) will have far-reaching consequences on children’s learning worldwide.

To kick off the day’s conversation, two inspiring Send My Friend to School Champions from Merstham Park School took the stage. They stressed that education should no longer be treated as a privilege but as the inherent right of every child. Calling on the UK government to reprioritise education, they emphasised its power to equip children with the tools to build a better future and drive meaningful change in the world.

Ade Adepitan MBE described education as the “basic foundation that set him up for life.” He shared personal stories of how he grew up with an acute awareness of the power of education. Expressing disappointment in the recent aid crisis, he reminded attendees that the statistics representing children unable to read, write, or solve basic arithmetic reflect real lives. He stressed that the UK government and other donor countries must reject a “them versus us” mindset in international development and urged the UK to protect education, ensuring it does not turn its back on millions of children worldwide.

The Country Director of Street Child Nigeria, Jummai Musa, told the heartbreaking story of the Chibok girls from Northeast Nigeria, who were abducted from school in April 2014 by the Boko Haram terrorist group. According to data, about 95 girls are still missing. She described the abduction as an “assault on education” and reaffirmed that education is a powerful driver of peace and stability. She emphasised that investment in girls’ education is non-negotiable, as it empowers them to make informed decisions about their futures. Ms Musa concluded by stating, “The fight for education is the fight for justice, equality, and the future of children.”

Neil Thorns, Director of Advocacy, Communications, and Education at CAFOD, urged the UK government to fully fund and deliver its pledges to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Education Cannot Wait (ECW) in the upcoming replenishment cycle. He stressed the importance of protecting the aid budget and reforming the global financial system to ensure resources are effectively utilised to achieve meaningful learning outcomes.

Responding to the remarks made by other speakers, Judith Herbertson, Head of the Girls’ Education Department at FCDO, acknowledged the current global challenges in achieving equitable, quality, and inclusive education for all. She highlighted that only 3% of ODA is allocated to education worldwide and underscored the need for increased investment. While recognising these constraints, she reaffirmed the UK government’s commitment to maximising impact using available resources to ensure no child is left behind.

Bambos Charalambous MP, Chair of the APPG on Global Education, closed the session by thanking everyone for attending the launch. He reiterated the transformative power of education for individuals and societies and encouraged all attendees to continue advocating for increased investment in global education.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We thank everyone who made out time to attend the campaign launch. Together, we can achieve a world where access to equitable, inclusive, quality education is possible.