Education in Crisis: Why We Cannot Afford to Wait

Education in Crisis: A Priority That Cannot Wait

From the flood-ravaged valleys of Nepal to the conflict zones of Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine, and the Sahel, millions of children are being denied their right to learn. In Sudan alone, over 5,000 schools remain shuttered. Children in these regions want only the basics: a classroom, a teacher, and a desk. Denying them this is a failure of policy that threatens our collective future.

Global aid for education is projected to drop by 24 percent this year. This is a political failure rather than a financial one. When we neglect education during crises, we do not just delay a child's future; we jeopardize our own. Children out of school are more vulnerable to violence, forced recruitment, exploitation, and child marriage. Girls suffer disproportionately. Societies that lose a generation to illiteracy eventually export instability and conflict across their borders.

The Lifeline of the Classroom

In the short term, a school is a vital lifeline. It provides security, meals, and psychosocial support. Restoring learning within days of a disaster helps children transition from trauma to recovery. Long-term, education is the most effective policy for development and peace. Each year of schooling increases literacy, improves livelihoods, and empowers girls to make independent life choices.

The initiative „Education Cannot Wait”(ECW) is critical to this mission. Over the last decade, ECW and its partners have provided education to 16 million children across 33,000 schools. They have trained nearly 300,000 teachers, more than half of whom are women. ECW now aims to reach 10 million more children over the next four years.

To support this, Germany has committed €20 million annually from 2027 to 2031. This contribution supports the $600 million replenishment goal. We make this investment because there is no smarter way to build peace or restore dignity than by ensuring a child is in school. We urge our G7 and European partners to join us. Education must not become the silent victim of our time. Together, we can ensure every child has the chance to learn and build a better future.