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	Tony Blair accepts the message from 5 million children around the world.   Young GCE activists with Nelson Mandela at Trafalgar Square   85 year old Kimani Ng'ang'a-the world's oldest school pupil-accompanies the buddies on their final journey through New York City to the UN.
	View E-News in French | Spanish Past Issues - December 2005 Note: Most hyperlinks will open in a new window. Please close the new window in order to be automatically returned to the GCE site. GLOBAL CAMPAIGN FOR EDUCATION - UPDATE GCE WISHES YOU WELL OVER THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND THE BEST FOR THE NEW YEAR 2006! In true festive style, London school children accompanied Father Christmas recently, to deliver the last 300,000 'friends' to the Prime Minister's house. Tony Blair, like many heads of state, has been bombarded with these children's hand-made messages, asking for all children to have the chance to go to school. Back to Top URGENT ACTION ALERT - CALL FOR US POLITICAL LEADERSHIP TO MEET EDUCATION MDGS. GCE supports the call for a US Presidential Initiative that would significantly expand the United State's political and financial leadership on achieving the Millennium Development Goal of universal primary education by 2015. US leadership is essential if the world is to reach this goal. The White House has a strong interest in global basic education, and is considering new initiatives in international assistance that could be announced in early 2006.   This is a critical moment to show broad support! Download the Action here. PLESE SEND IN YOUR ENDORSEMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE OR BY JANUARY 5, 2006 TO: jdelaney@globalactionforchildren.org Back to Top BEIJING MEETINGS DELIVER WARM WORDS BUT LITTLE FIRM ACTION As 2005 draws to a close, education campaigners and lobbyists might feel that there are grounds for cautious optimism. With new aid pledges on the table, and the right to free basic education for all reaffirmed at the key policy milestones of the year, activists hoped that the Beijing meetings - bringing together the UN Girls' Education Initiative, the EFA High-Level Group and the Fast-Track Initiative Partners' Meeting - would finally usher in a step change in international efforts to achieve EFA by 2015. Sadly these hopes were frustrated once again, as the meetings delivered outcomes which, though broadly positive in tone, failed to reflect either the urgency of tackling the remaining challenges in education or an ambition to mobilise new political will as a result of this year's events. Most significantly, no firm action plans were made to ensure that basic education in low-income countries captures its fair share of anticipated aid increases between now and 2008 - vital if we are to enrol all children in school by 2009 and thus set the world on track to meet the minimum targets established in the Millennium Development Goals. GCE campaigners expressed disappointment at this diffident outcome and vowed that education activists will continue press for firm and specific aid commitments in the New Year. Kailash Satyarthi, GCE President said 'in order to reach the EFA and MDG goals, the world must stop doing business as usual. Business as usual hasn't worked. Let's make 2005 the year of delivery, not deliberation!' On a more positive note, the focus on literacy in this year's deliberations by the meetings was welcomed by GCE stakeholders who felt that this provides a platform for widening debate out from the reductionist focus on Universal Primary Education to an broader understanding of the interdependence of all EFA goals. Read GCE's analysis of the Beijing meetings. Read GCE's statement to the meetings... Back to Top ASIA PACIFIC LAUNCH EVENTS FOR NEW GCE REPORT: Writing the Wrongs, International Benchmarks on Adult Literacy GCE's report on Adult Literacy is being launched in events throughout Asia Pacific. The events have been organized by ASPBAE, ActionAid International and GCE. In the Solomon Islands the report launch was a huge success - over 2,000 people, 25 of whom were donors and education officials, turned up for the discussions. The launch was also a success in Nepal, where the government was asked to invest more into the informal education sector: http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/pageloader.php?file=2005/12/15/topstories/main13 View Schedule of Launches and Press Release here. Back to Top PUBLICATIONS AND RESEARCH STEALING IN THE FUTURE - CORRUPTION IN THE CLASSROOM Transparency International (2005) The report presents 10 studies carried out by Transparency International Chapters in 2004 and 2005 in Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Georgia, Mexico, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Sierra Leone and Zambia. The studies assess the forms and extent of corruption at schools, universities and in education administration, providing hands-on examples of how civil society can help curb corrupt practice to ensure that our children get quality education. http://www.transparency.org/global_priorities/education/corruption_education Back to Top THE PRIVATE-PUBLIC SCHOOL CONTROVERSY: THE CASE OF CHILE Bellei (John F. Kennedy School of Government Harvard University 2005) This paper critically reviews the research about whether Chilean students attending private schools obtain greater learning outcomes than their peers studying at public schools. Chile constitutes a paradigmatic case to the public/private schools debate - its nationwide school-choice system finances both public and private subsidised schools under the same funding system, a particular type of voucher program. Available online at: http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/rdr.cfm?doc=DOC20311 Back to Top CAN YOU HEAR ME? THE RIGHT OF YOUNG CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE IN DECISIONS AFFECTING THEM Lansdown, G. (2005) This paper argues for the right of young children to participate in decisions affecting them. It emphasises that participation enhances children's self-esteem and confidence, promotes their overall capacities, produces better outcomes, strengthens understanding of and commitment to democratic processes and protects children more effectively. http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/rdr.cfm?doc=DOC20358 Back to Top AIDS IN AFRICA: THREE SCENARIOS FOR THE EDUCATION SECTOR Bennell (Eldis Document Store 2004)  This report presents three distinct scenarios of how the AIDS epidemic could impact on the education sector in sub-Saharan Africa over the next two decades and, in particular, the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals for education. http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/rdr.cfm?doc=DOC20439 Back to Top THE EFFECT OF CHILD WORK ON SCHOOLING: EVIDENCE FROM EGYPT Assaad; Levison, and Zibani, (Economic Research Forum, Egypt 2005) This paper includes causal evidence that lower crude rates of school attendance for Egyptian children are not due to limited access to schools but rather to a substantial burden of work. http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/rdr.cfm?doc=DOC20380 Back to Top RETURNS TO EDUCATION IN BANGLADESH Asadullah (University of Oxford 2005) This paper estimates private labour market returns to education in Bangladesh using national level household survey data. Returns are estimated separately for rural and urban samples, males, females and private sector employees. http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/rdr.cfm?doc=DOC20500 Back to Top DISABILITY, POVERTY, AND SCHOOLING IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: RESULTS FROM 11 HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS Filmer (World Bank 2005) This paper analyses the relationship between whether a young person has a disability, the poverty status of their household, and their school participation. The research uses 11 household surveys from nine developing countries - Jamaica, Romania, Cambodia, Indonesia, Mozambique, Burundi, Myanmar, Mongolia and Sierra Leone. http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/rdr.cfm?doc=DOC20497 Back to Top M other tongue-based teaching and education for girls Benson (UNESCO Bangkok: Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education 2005) This advocacy brief examines the issues surrounding marginalisation, language and girls; explores obstacles to girls education and strategies to address them, and looks at the benefits of mother tongue-based teaching and education for girls. It provides examples of how mother tongue-based learning can break down barriers to education for girls. http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/rdr.cfm?doc=DOC20486 Back to Top Improving learning in South African schools: the Qualitative Learning Project (QLP) summative evaluation (2000 - 2004) Kanjee, A. and Prinsloo, C. H. This report presents the evaluation work of the Quality Learning Project (QLP), conducted over a five year period in over 524 South African High Schools. It also focuses on the successes and findings of the QLP, and the implications and recommendations flowing from the evaluation study. http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/rdr.cfm?doc=DOC20331 Back to Top No school fees for primary students in Burundi, but what about quality? Eldis (2005) This commentary from an Eldis Editor looks at how the President of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza, has taken the brave step of dropping fees for primary school, thereby making access to primary education easier for many children in the country. But what about the education sector's ability to cope with a sudden increase in demand for education? Are there enough teachers? Is there enough money? And, as the student to teacher ratio will inevitably increase, what happens to the quality of education these children will receive?   http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/rdr.cfm?doc=DOC20339 Back to Top Teacher mortality in sub-Saharan Africa: an update Authors: Bennell, P (2005)   This short article is divided into two sections, the first part focuses on the situation in South Africa where there good quality information on HIV prevalence and mortality among teachers; the second part briefly reviews the available evidence for the remaining countries. http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/rdr.cfm?doc=DOC20349 Back to Top Teacher management: a selected bibliography Authors: Gottelmann, G.; Yekhlef, A. This document provides bibliographical references to documents addressing some of the major issues and trends related to teacher management. It is aimed at those who place teacher management at the crossroads of human resource management (in the public sector) and the management of educational development, and those who are interested in obtaining an overview of some relevant bibliographical references. http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/rdr.cfm?doc=DOC19926 Back to Top Education for Rural People (ERP) Tool Kit (FAO) This tool kit is structured as a website providing a wide range of educational materials and other resources designed for use by "rural teachers, instructors, trainers, parents, researchers, extensionists and others involved in formal and non formal education for rural people". http://www.comminit.com/materials/ma2005/materials-2408.html Back to Top Globalisation and Education - ODI, 2005 The main aim of the research was to provide a state-of-the-art survey of the links between 'globalisation and education', but it also exemplified the main issues in two further papers with new panel data and case-study evidence on the effects of Foreign Direct Investment on education and training. To read the report click here Back to Top Gender achievements and prospects in education: the GAP report, part 1. UNICEF 2005. This first GAP report presents an ongoing evaluation of progress towards gender parity in education. It is designed to assess progress towards universal primary education, highlight innovations, identify obstacles, generate discussion and provide guidance. http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/rdr.cfm?doc=DOC20467 Back to Top The impact of the AIDS epidemic on teachers in South Africa Eldis Document Store (2005) This note briefly reviews the development of the knowledge base concerning the impact of the AIDS epidemic on teachers in South Africa. A summary of some of the findings reveal that: HIV prevalence among teachers was 12.7% in 2004 - prevalence rates among female and male teachers in South Africa are almost identical, and there is no difference in overall prevalence rates among primary and secondary school teachers. Read more Back to Top GLOBAL: EDUCATING CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/rdr.cfm?doc=DOC20469 This briefing paper from the Academy for Educational Development discusses the classification of children with disabilities in educational systems, including how such classifications vary across countries. It argues that the implications of the differing classification criteria affect the provision of educational opportunities for every child, regardless of the nature or level of his or her physical, mental, or sensory disability. Back to Top UPCOMING EVENTS For full calendar visit: www.campaignforeducation.org/news/news_events.html 7-10 Jan: EFA Southern Africa Conference, Co-hosted by World Education, OSISA and UNESCO, Johannesburg South Africa 12-14 Jan: Third world conference about violence in schools, Bordeaux, France http://www.crin.org/violence/search/closeup.asp?infoID=6724 23-25 Jan: Minimum Standards for Education in Emergencies Training of Teachers Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) Nairobi, Kenya, www.ineesite.org/standards 19 - 23 Jan: World Social Forum, Bamako (Mali) 24-29 Jan: World Social Forum, Caracas (Venezuela) http://www.forumsocialmundial.org.br/index.php?cd_language=2 25 - 29 Jan: World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Davos, http://www.weforum.org/ Back to Top GLOBAL NEWS UPDATE EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL URGE WTO TO TAKE EDUCATION OUT OF GATS The global union representing more than 29 million teachers and education workers, called member countries to remove education services from the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). "Because there are so many unanswered questions about the impact of GATS on education, and because there is so much at stake, we believe all members must adopt a precautionary approach. They must neither make nor seek any commitments that constrain the rights of government to regulate education as they see fit, including research, audio-visual services, and libraries," stated Thulas Nxesi, president of Education International (EI). Back to Top BOTSWANA: ACCESS TO EDUCATION MAY BE LIMITED BY NEW FEES POLICY http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=50496 A move to reintroduce school fees in Botswana is causing controversy, with politicians and education experts warning that it may be a step backwards. In October, Botswana's parliament approved legislation reintroducing school fees for pupils at junior secondary and senior secondary schools in 2006. Back to Top SOMALIA: PRIMARY ATTENDANCE LOWEST IN THE WORLD, SAYS UNICEF http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=50693 Only one out of every five children in Somalia is enrolled in primary school, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said in its State of the World's Children report for 2006. Somali children are further disadvantaged by disease, conflict and harsh environmental conditions, the agency added. "The net primary attendance ratio is lower than anywhere in the world, at just 12 percent for boys and 10 percent for girls," the report said. "Years of underinvestment have left Somalia lagging behind the rest of the developing world in education." Back to Top ZAMBIA: MORE GIRLS IN SCHOOL THANKS TO POLICY REFORMS http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=50535 More Zambian girls are attending school after government interventions such as allowing teenage mothers back to school and waiving fees and uniforms. Re-admission in many schools has doubled since the Ministry of Education introduced the re-entry policy prohibiting the expulsion of pregnant girls in 1997, according to official statistics. The policy requires girls to go back to school not later than a year after giving birth, while other interventions have also increased the enrolment rate. Back to Top ASIA PACIFIC LAUNCH EVENTS FOR NEW GCE REPORT: Writing the Wrongs, International Benchmarks on Adult Literacy This new report highlights the lack of excuses for denying adults the right to learn and provides evidence of what works in practice.  ASPBAE, ActionAid International and GCE have organised launch events in a variety of countries.  View Schedule and Press Release here. 8 December 2005 Back to Top ©2006 GCE You are welcome to reproduce items from the GCE E-News for any non-profit use, as long as you credit GCE together with any original source mentioned in the article. 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