ONE Vote '08

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Global Primary Education and ONE's Policy Plan

Could you tell us a bit more about how your Administration would work to get the 77 million children without access to primary education into school?

Globally, there are 77 million children, nearly 60% of them girls, without access to a primary education. This not only strips these individuals of the opportunity for a brighter future but also curtails their countries’ chances for improved health, economic growth and democracy. The benefits of education are truly transformative. And there is reason for optimism. Thanks to debt cancellation and targeted investments in development assistance, 21 million children are in school now than were in 1999. Providing children the tools to contribute productively to society is a barrier to extremist influences that otherwise can fill the void. Achieving universal education requires investment, but it produces some of the highest returns available in the developing world.

Evidence for Action

Higher wages: In low-income countries, a young woman’s average earnings increase by 10%-20% with each additional year of education; 5%-15% for a young man.

Faster economic growth: Increasing the share of women with a secondary education by 1% boosts annual per capita income by 0.3% on average.

Healthier children: Educating girls for five years could boost child survival by up to 40%. For example, educated mothers are 50% more likely to immunize their children than are uneducated mothers.

Better, stronger governments: A study of 100 countries has found that educating girls and reducing the gender gap can promote democracy.

Achieving Universal Primary Education

With increased investment in education by donors and partner countries, six African countries have increased their primary school enrollments by 40% in just four years. Countries making significant and recognized efforts to achieve universal education are facing financial shortfalls. The best estimate for the cost of putting every child in school is $10 billion annually by 2010.

Global Education: Poised for U.S. Leadership

The United States should take a leadership role by spending its proportionate share of the $10 billion required annually by 2010. ONE Vote ’08 estimates this amount at $3.3 billion. These resources should be used to address the critical barriers to education. To eliminate those barriers, we must: reduce or eliminate school fees, compensate for the opportunity costs of going to school instead of working, train enough teachers and improve teacher education, make schools girl friendly, provide books and learning materials, provide for school uniform fees, and ensure that our investments are leading to improved learning outcomes. We should work with governments and community and faith-based organizations to remove these financial barriers to achieving universal primary education.

Key Facts

Getting the millions of children not receiving a primary education into school provides hope and opportunity to these children and improves the chances for a prosperous, healthier and more democratic future.
We are fighting for a chance to educate the minds of tomorrow. In some parts of the world, students without the opportunity to go to school will end up getting an education from anyone that will offer. This can end up being in fundamentalist schools that promote extreme agendas.
This is an area of development that has a history of success – we can solve this problem, and must. Education provides the basis for productive societies.

On The Record's comparison is provided by ONE Action to educate voters about the Presidential candidates' plans on issues of importance to ONE Action's members. Only 501(c)(3) activities are funded by The ONE Campaign.