New York: Global funding shortfalls could push an additional 6 million children out of school by the end of 2026, UNICEF has warned, raising the total number of out-of-school children worldwide to a staggering 278 million. The UN agency for children cautions that cuts in education financing equivalent to emptying every primary school in Germany and Italy combined could have far-reaching consequences, particularly in regions already facing humanitarian crises.
The new analysis reveals that Official Development Assistance (ODA) for education is projected to fall by $3.2 billion, a 24% decline compared to 2023. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized that “every dollar cut from education isn’t just a budget decision it puts a child’s future at risk.” She highlighted that schools provide far more than learning, connecting children to healthcare, food, protection, and a lifeline from poverty.
Regions most at risk include West and Central Africa, where nearly 2 million children could lose access to schooling. The Middle East and North Africa may see an additional 1.4 million children out of school. Twenty-eight countries are expected to lose at least a quarter of the educational support they depend on for preschool, primary, and secondary schooling, with Côte d’Ivoire and Mali among the hardest hit. Primary education worldwide is projected to suffer the most, worsening the global learning crisis and potentially costing affected children an estimated $164 billion in lifetime earnings.
In humanitarian settings, the stakes are even higher. Education provides stability, normalcy, and critical services for children facing crises. For example, in the Rohingya refugee camps, 350,000 children are at risk of permanently losing access to basic education. UNICEF warns that without urgent funding, education centers could close, leaving children vulnerable to exploitation, child labor, and trafficking. Essential programs, including school meals and girls’ education initiatives, face severe cuts, some exceeding 50%.
Even children who remain enrolled may experience a decline in education quality, with an estimated 290 million students globally affected. Reduced funding undermines governments’ ability to plan effectively, support teachers, and monitor learning outcomes, threatening both current and future generations.
UNICEF has called on donor countries and partners to act immediately to safeguard education, rebalance aid, and protect funding for humanitarian programs. As Russell stressed, “investing in children’s education is one of the best investments we can make for the future for everyone.”