Washington DC, March 8, 2021 – The Global Partnership for Education welcomes the EUR50 million contribution to GPE from the Netherlands announced today, International Women’s Day.
The Dutch pledge is the second contribution towards GPE’s 2021 replenishment. The GPE replenishment campaign, “Raise Your Hand,” seeks to raise at least US$5 billion over five years to help transform education systems in up to 90 low-income countries and territories, which are home to more than 1 billion children.
“I raise my hand for education. It’s a fundamental human right and an investment in the future for every girl and boy,” said Sigrid Kaag, Netherlands Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, making the early pledge of EUR50 million to GPE. “COVID-19 has worsened education prospects, and young girls are disproportionately affected. We need to act urgently. I call on all other partners to pledge because we can make a difference.”
“This contribution shows the Netherlands’ steadfast support and engagement in response to the global education crisis and the dire impacts of COVID-19,” said Alice Albright, GPE Chief Executive Officer. “I particularly recognize Minister Sigrid Kaag for her long-standing commitment to global development. She has again demonstrated leadership by making this early pledge towards GPE’s replenishment."
The Dutch contribution comes as the coronavirus pandemic threatens to erase decades of hard-won progress in education. The impact of COVID-19 and prolonged school closures are increasing the chance that the most vulnerable children, including girls, children from poor families, and children with disabilities, will drop out permanently.
With the economic impact of COVID-19 straining government budgets, lower-income countries urgently require resources to make sure that all children are in school and learning.
GPE support will help countries make transformative reforms in their education systems, train teachers, invest in new and innovative curricula and find new ways of delivering education to the most marginalized children.