UN: Pakistan among ‘Crisis Stricken’ Nations that require Educational Support

The United Nations (UN) estimates that more than 200 million children in nations afflicted by crisis are suffering from a lack of educational guidance, including Pakistan.

According to a recent UN report published on Tuesday, the number of school-aged children living in troubled countries, including Pakistan, who need educational aid, has increased from approximately 75 million in 2016 to 222 million today.

Of those 222 million girls and boys, up to 78.2 million are not in school, and close to 120 million of those who are attending do not meet the minimum proficiency requirements in reading or mathematics, as per the UN global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises, ‘Education Cannot Wait’ (ECW).

According to the research, only one in ten students in primary or secondary school truly meet the competence levels. 222 million youngsters worldwide miss out on crucial learning time in the classroom. Conflicts, relocation, and climate catastrophes are stealing away their hopes and plans for the future.

Data shows that 84% of children who aren't going to school reside in regions that are experiencing ongoing problems. The majority of nations that ECW has expressly targeted with its multi-year initiatives include Pakistan, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Yemen, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Mali, Nigeria, Somalia, and South Africa.

Countless helpless children are frantically clinging to the notion that education will enable them to fulfill their ambitions of becoming doctors, engineers, scientists, or teachers from within improvised refugee camps, the shattered walls of classrooms, and communities ripped apart by conflict and calamity.

The UN chief called on everyone to contribute to "placing education within reach of every child, everywhere" in his remarks ahead of the Transforming Education Summit in September.

By giving children affected by crises fair learning opportunities to help them overcome the unique challenges they face while going through a crisis and achieve learning outcomes, ECW and its strategic partners are committed to upholding these children's fundamental, inalienable right to an equitable, inclusive, high-quality education.

The campaign which preceded the Education Cannot Wait High-Level Financing Conference, took place on the 16th of February 2019, in Geneva. It was described by ECW Director Yasmine Sherif as "a global call to action."