We understand global education is a critical part of U.S. foreign policy that supports long-term economic development. We have made significant progress over the last two decades to improve access to quality education for all. However, the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 could result in a lost generation of learners with severely limited academic or economic opportunities. We urge the Biden-Harris Administration to take action now, so we can lessen the virus’ impacts on education and begin to build back better. Specifically, we ask policymakers to do the following:

• Increase support for U.S. global education efforts through USAID and other partners:
  • Increase funding for international basic education in the annual President’s Budget Request
  • Advance the U.S. Government Strategy on International Basic Education, focusing on inclusive early childhood education, children and youth with disabilities, girls, children and youth in crisis settings, and marginalized groups
  • Increase effective efforts to address education challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, including innovative remote learning strategies, support for teachers, safe reopening practices, remedial education, and re-enrollment efforts

• Restore U.S. leadership in global education, increasing support for international organizations that have the experience and expertise to address ongoing education challenges as well as those resulting from COVID-19:
  • Increase contributions and support a 5-year funding pledge for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), which works with developing countries to build and improve public education systems
  • Increase contributions to Education Cannot Wait (ECW), which supports education in emergency situations, including education for refugees, displaced, and at-risk children
  • Provide strong support and funding for United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) which provide important education interventions for children and the forcibly displaced
  • Rejoin United Nations Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (UNESCO), which provides global and regional leadership in education, strengthens education systems worldwide, and responds to global challenges through education, from pre-school to higher education
  • Support efforts to protect education from attack during armed conflict to ensure safe schools for all

We urge the U.S. government to prioritize global education and quickly take these actions to support children and young people around the world.