©️UNICEF
New York, September 3, 2025.- The projected decrease of $3.2 billion in global aid for education could deprive 6 million children of schooling by the end of 2026, including one third in the context of a humanitarian crisis, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). West Africa and the Middle East are among the most exposed regions.
UNICEF warns that the 24 per cent reduction in official development assistance for education would increase the number of children out of school from 272 million to 278 million. « Every dollar less allocated to education has a direct impact on the future of children », recalled Catherine Russell, Executive Director of the organization.
In West and Central Africa, 1.9 million pupils are at risk of dropping out of school, compared with 1.4 million in the Middle East and North Africa. Côte d'Ivoire and Mali could lose 340,000 and 180,000 students respectively, or 4 per cent of their enrolment.
Primary education will be hardest hit, with one third of the funding threatened. Beyond school leaving, essential programmes such as school feeding and girls' education are also at risk of severe cuts, compromising the quality of learning for 290 million pupils.
UNICEF calls on donors to protect education by maintaining funding, especially in countries in crisis. The organization recommends that at least 50 per cent of the funds be directed towards the least developed countries and that fundamental learning be given priority, recalling that « Education is one of the best investments for a more stable and prosperous future ».
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