Education

Education transforms lives and breaks the cycle of poverty that traps so many children. Yet 262 million children and youth, one out of five children, are out of school.  Education for girls is particularly important — an educated mother will make sure her own children go to, and stay in, school.

Every child has the right to an education – whatever their background, gender or ethnicity. UNICEF wants to see a world where all children enjoy this right.

Yet every day, more than 61 million children don’t attend their primary schools. Without the opportunity to learn, children can’t develop to their full potential. They’re more likely to be trapped in cycles of poverty, poor health and forced labour – often in dangerous environments.

With UNICEF's help, there are now 100 million more children and adolescents enrolled in primary and secondary schools around the world than there were a decade ago. Whether it means setting up temporary classrooms for child refugees, building child-friendly schools, distributing books and other learning materials, training teachers or even rebuilding an entire educational system, UNICEF is committed to get children back to school — whatever it takes.