Context
More than 260 million children and adolescents, nearly one-fifth of the world’s population in this age group, are currently out of school. In addition, more than half of all children and adolescents worldwide do not have basic reading and math skills.
In the last decade, major progress has been made in improving access to all levels of education and increasing school enrolment rates, especially for girls.
Nevertheless, the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic may jeopardize hard-won progress in improving the quality of education worldwide. Never in history have so many children been out of school at the same time. This situation has disrupted their learning and their lives, and this is especially true of the most vulnerable and marginalized children.
Lack of a quality education is due to the shortage of properly trained teachers, poor school conditions, and equity issues related to opportunities for rural children. Achieving a quality education is the foundation for sustainable development and for improving people’s lives. In addition to improving their quality of life, access to inclusive and equitable education helps equip local populations with the tools required to develop innovative solutions to the world’s greatest problems.
FXB in action
Children’s rights are at the heart of our actions. Each of our programs is a response to the implementation – in the daily lives of children – of their rights as defined by the Convention of Children’s Rights, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 20 November 1989, in particular article 28 which states that every child has the right to a quality education and learning opportunities – as well as goals 4 and 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Through its programs related to Education, FXB also contributes to the achievement of Goals 4 and 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Ensuring women and girls equal access to education, health care, decent work, and representation in political and economic decision-making processes will nurture sustainable economies, benefiting both societies and all of humanity.
