An equitable education system is the foundation for a peaceful, productive and fair society.
Education promotes tolerance, reduces conflict, and builds healthy relationships across divides. Prioritising investment in education for those most often excluded — those who are poor, disabled, female, rural, nomadic, from minority ethnic groups, and living in conflict — provides the greatest social and economic returns.
The benefits of education for all will not be fully realised without quality education for all. Great inequities exist in learning and the quality of education provided — even for children with a primary education — with learning outcomes often the lowest for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. In low- and middle-income countries, only 18 of the poorest youth complete secondary school for every 100 of the richest youth. In at least 20 countries, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, hardly any poor rural young women complete secondary school. (GEM, 2020) (UN, 2018)
Providing equitable education opportunities starts with more equitable education financing. Equitable distribution of resources can influence the outcomes of students; countries and economies with fewer shortages of material resources generally show better academic outcomes. OECD PISA 2018 results show that a shortage of material resources was negatively correlated to mean performance in reading, mathematics and science. (OECD, 2023)
Children are often taught in a language that they do not speak and fully understand. 37% of students in low and middle-income countries are required to learn in a different language, which puts them at a significant disadvantage throughout their school life. They are more likely to stay in school if they are first taught in a language familiar to them. (World Bank, 2021)
The intersection of gender and other factors of disadvantage exacerbates challenges and can lead to education deprivation. Poor boys and boys from minority groups are particularly at risk of falling into this category. For example, in the US, boys are consistently over-represented in disability education programming. (UNESCO, 2023)
Great disparities in education exist between the rich and the poor, and those living in rural and urban areas. A 34% gap in attendance rates for children ages 3-5 exists between the richest and poorest quintiles, and a 16% gap between urban and rural areas, according to a study of 61 low- and middle-income countries. (GEM, 2021)
Even when children are in school, many are not learning, with the poorest and most marginalised bearing the brunt of the learning crisis. Globally, 617 million children are unable to meet minimum proficiency in maths and reading, though a full two-thirds are in school. (UNICEF, 2022)
Migrants face particular challenges in accessing education. Despite international legal commitments to the right to education of migrants, migrants face many legal, administrative and practical barriers to the enjoyment of this right at national level. These include school closures, discriminatory laws, lack of information, inaccessible school materials and school fees. (Right to Education Initiative, 2018)
Prioritising education for the most marginalised provides the highest returns. Financing primary and early childhood education, and the education of the poorest, the disabled, and those with social disadvantages, is the quickest route to achieving equity, with the greatest potential social dividends. (Education Commission, 2016)
Investments in early childhood education promote equity. Creating a level playing field from the beginning improves the chances for a fair start in life, reaping benefits to nutrition and health, cognitive development, and school achievement. (GBC-Education, 2018) (Black & Dewey, 2014)(Nonoyama-Tarumi et al., 2009)
Providing equitable education is an important driver of national economic growth. Universal secondary education among young adults aged 15-24 years in low to middle-income countries could boost annual gross national income (GNI) by $8.1 trillion, which represents an estimated 11.5% growth. (Population Council, 2023)
Education is one of the most important means by which the inherent characteristics of a minority group, such as its culture, language or religion, can be passed on and preserved.(UNESCO, 2023)
When education is more equal for minority groups, the probability of conflict attributed to xenophobia or stereotypes of minority groups is reduced. In sub-Saharan Africa, the risk of conflict in the areas with the highest education inequality is almost double that of the areas with the lowest education inequality. (Smith, 2009)(EFA GMR, 2013)
Education promotes religious tolerance. In Arab States, people with secondary education were 14% less likely to express intolerant attitudes towards people of a different religion. (EFA GMR, 2014)
Education advances tolerance for immigrant children. Higher educational attainment is correlated with more positive attitudes towards immigrants. People with secondary education were 16% less likely to express intolerance towards immigrants in Central and Eastern Europe in comparison to those without a secondary education. (Borgonovi & Pokropek, 2019)
Education bolsters racial tolerance. In Latin America, people with secondary education were half as likely to express intolerance for people of different race than those with only a primary education. (EFA GMR, 2014)
Increased education increases tolerance of sexual orientation. In Argentina, people with secondary education were nearly one-quarter less likely to express homophobic attitudes than those with only a primary education. (EFA GMR, 2014)
“Learning for everyone, everywhere means ensuring that the most vulnerable can access education and learn, in a safe and inclusive environment. In situations of fragility, conflict and violence, we must protect those impacted and recognize education’s part in promoting stability. There have also been remarkable leaps in equitable access to education for boys and girls, but gaps remain. We must further translate girls’ gains in education to successful labour market outcomes for women.”
Luis BenvenisteGlobal Director for Education at the World Bank
“For the 1% of the world’s population who are displaced, education is the key to unlocking a positive and resilient future. For children affected by crisis and conflict, education provides vital protection, and a sense of normalcy and safety. Covid-19 showed numerous examples of how refugees who had received support to harness their energy and complete their education were giving back to the communities which hosted them – as doctors, nurses, teachers and support workers. Access to a quality education prepares refugee students to take care of themselves and their communities, stepping up as leaders and role models and enabling rapid generational change which will in turn create a brighter future for their own children.”
Education can create more equitable societies, if investments provide opportunities to the poorest and most marginalised.
Education has a tremendous power to equalise the playing field early in life and helps reduce inequalities between income groups and for minority populations.
Integrated schools can play a key role in building relationships across political, religious and ethnic divides.
Equal education for minority groups reduces the chances of conflict.
