ActionAid believes that education is a fundamental human right, the responsibility of the state and a core element of a development policy committed to social justice.
Securing the right to education is key to enabling people to secure other basic rights.
Yet the right to education is violated by governments around the world. In 92 countries, children have to pay to go to primary school.
In such contexts,
girls are the first to lose out. In many countries,
IMF macro-economic constraints are undermining the basic capacity of the state to educate its citizens, whilst donor practices are diminishing accountability and transparency.
Privatisation is further undermining the contract between State and citizen.
HIV/AIDS is having a devastating impact - and yet each year that a child (especially a girl) stays in school their risk of HIV infection reduces. If all children were in school 700,000 lives a year would be saved.
ActionAid is recognized as a leading international organisation working on education. Our
education strategy builds on over 30 years of experience. We have been awarded the UN International Literacy Prize for our work in conceiving, piloting and disseminating the
Reflect approach to adult learning (now used by over 500 organisations in 70 countries).
© Kate Holt/Eyevine/ActionAid