3.5 Million dreams need our support!
Every child has a dream. It could be that they want to be a scientist, a teacher, a chef, or even a famous athlete. But without access to formal education, these dreams are at risk.
Right now, there is a growing global education crisis due to factors such as conflict, hunger, drought and the climate. In Ethiopia alone, it is estimated that 3.5 million children are currently out of school.
That’s 3.5 million dreams that need support and encouragement through education. These children deserve a chance to make their dreams a reality.
Across Ethiopia, 1 in 16 children are out of school, in what is being called one of the world’s worst educational crises.
Even with pauses in the ongoing conflict, data has revealed massive damage to school facilities across areas of Tigray, Amhara and Afar in Northern Ethiopia.
The situation is especially dire in Tigray, where 85% of schools have been damaged – and where all public schools, even those not damaged – remain closed due to conflict and safety concerns.
In this region, 2.3 million children have been out of school for around three years, with 22,500 teachers not receiving pay during the same period.
This is extremely troubling as children who are out of school for prolonged periods are at risk of exploitation, sexual violence, early marriage and child labour.