New initiative to address the learning crisis

’59 million children do not go to school. A quarter of a billion children in the fourth year of school have not mastered basic literacy skills. This means that it is not enough just to do more of the same. We need new, innovative approaches if all children in all countries are to get a quality education,’ said Ms Solberg. 

Inadequate financing is one of the main reasons why many countries will not achieve the Millennium Development Goal on education. An additional USD 22 billion per year is needed to ensure quality primary education for all by 2030, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 

‘We need more funding for education and better quality education. We need to make use of modern technology and to enhance cooperation with the private sector. The Commission will address these challenges, and present recommendations for how we can resolve the learning crisis,’ said Ms Solberg. 

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moonwelcomed the launch of the Commission in his address to the Oslo Summit on Education for Development. 

‘I am pleased that Mr Ban has welcomed the establishment of the Commission. Its report will be submitted to him, and he will help to ensure that its recommendations are followed up,’ said Ms Solberg. 

Among those behind the initiative are President of Indonesia Joko Widodo, President of Malawi Peter Mutharika, President of Chile Michelle Bachelet, and Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova. The Commission will be chaired by UN Special Envoy for Global Education and former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The members of the Commission will represent donor countries, developing countries, multilateral organisations, the private sector, and research groups. The objective is to increase financing for education by promoting new partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms. The Commission will present concrete recommendations in autumn 2016.