New Delhi: The UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell, has stressed the importance of education for children in war zones. She has said that 250 million children are out of school around the world, with an increase of 6 million since 2021.
This was recently stated by Russell during her visit to the G7 Ministerial meeting on Education in Triestia, Italy. She cited the war in Sudan as an example of the devastating consequences that conflict can have on children’s education and well-being. She noted that almost the entire population of school-aged children in the country – some 17 million – have been out of school since the conflict began over a year ago.
Russell emphasised the need for an international effort to reach the most vulnerable children and ensure their access to education. She highlighted the importance of improving the quality and impact of education, using innovation and technology to reach more children, and supporting teachers with effective learning materials. She also called for greater efforts to support children with disabilities and girls, who are more likely to drop out of school.
The UNICEF Executive Director expressed her hope that the G7 countries will show their commitment to the principle of “leave no one behind” and prioritize the importance of education for all children. She expressed confidence that with the support of governments and partners, it is possible to make a difference in the lives of millions of children and ensure that they have the opportunity to reach their full potential.