“Once my son finishes school, I want him to be independent. I want him to help himself and his country.” Moses Tsegaye— the father of a student who attends Hidassi Primary school in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia —did not complete his own studies but he is determined to ensure his son receives an education so that he can have the chance for a better life.

Hidassi is one of 40,000 schools and education centers in Ethiopia that have received financing through a multi-donor fund, to which the Global Partnership for Education has contributed US$268 million since 2008.

October 17 is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. In the words of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, “On this day we recommit to think, decide and act together against extreme poverty – and plan for a world where no-one is left behind. Our aim must be prosperity for all, not just a few.”

Quality education is one of the most powerful antidotes to poverty. According to UNESCO, 171 million people could be lifted out of poverty - a 12% drop in global poverty - if all students in low-income countries left school with basic reading skills. UNESCO also found that one extra year of schooling increases an individual's earnings by up to 10%, and each additional year of schooling raises average annual gross domestic product by 0.37%.