Earlier this year millions of people came together and told the story of why they are where they are #BecauseOfSchool. The value of education was made clear. People from around the world proclaimed the safety, hope, health and work they have are all because of their education.
Many governments from around the world responded to this mass demonstration of the value of education by pledging an unprecedented amount at the replenishment conference of the Global Partnership for Education.
But the reality is that the global funding gap to provide all children with a basic education is still massive with US$ 26 billion missing each year. If we want to narrow this gap, more innovative and sustainable solutions are needed.
We have evidence that shows alumni networks for public schools are one of those solutions.
What high school alumni networks can do
Six months of primary research backed up by national polling revealed that 42% of adults would be willing to donate back to their high schools. The research by IPSOS Mori, a marketing company, with the support of the Open Society Foundations, was conducted across six countries in five continents.
The will from former students to support their old schools is present across the globe; alumni are just not being asked.
Alumni networks have worked well in the private education sector over the past few decades but our research suggests that the same model could have a transformational impact on state-run secondary and tertiary education.
Let’s support alumni networks
The untapped potential that we uncovered not just for funding, but also for work placements, careers advice and mentoring, is truly astounding! It is to unleash this untapped potential that we are launching Future First Global.
The results of our research on the power of alumni networks are summarized in our report ‘Every School a Community: The Role of Alumni in Supporting the transition from School to Work’.
We aim to work with Ministries of Education, teachers’ networks, NGOs, students and schools to support the development of alumni networks in public schools around the world. Based on our research, the support of alumni networks can have a significant impact on funding for schools at the community level. This in turn will help improve children’s learning, better prepare them with the skills they need for the world of work and help them fulfil their individual potential.
Join discussion at WISE
I will be hosting a discussion on these new ideas during the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), entitled Collaboration and Innovation. For us innovation means simple, local remedies with the potential to tackle complex, global problems.
Do you think high school alumni networks could be one of these? Join us at the WISE session November 5th 11am or online following @futurefirstint.
The education crisis is fuelling the youth unemployment crisis. With close to 75 million young people out of work around the world, the future of millions of children and young people are on the line. We must be innovative about ways to bridge the transition from education to employment.
Future First Global is a new charity looking to transform the school to work transition for millions of young people worldwide over the next decade. We are convinced that it is possible to unleash the potential of this connection we have with our former schools. Acting now by building these networks and raising more funding for schools will transform young people’s lives around the world and help them get an education which will prepare them for the job, and life they want. We launch on November 5, 2014 to deliver on this belief.
Check out our website to see how you can get involved.
And help us launch by sharing online!