Save the Children Applauds New Senate Bill to Help Children in Need
WESTPORT, Conn. (September 17, 2010) – Save the Children praised Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) for introducing legislation yesterday called “The Education for All Act” that would help more children in need get a quality education and would advance the global goal of achieving universal primary education by 2015.
“This legislation, if passed, could bring hope and change to millions of children around the world today who are still waiting to realize their dream of getting an education,” said Michael Klosson, Vice President for Policy and Humanitarian Response for Save the Children. “We applaud Senator Gillibrand, and Representatives Lowey and Reichert, for leading Congress in strengthening U.S. support for global education.”
According to the latest figures by UNESCO, 69 million children — the majority of them girls — are not in school today. More than half live in countries affected by conflict.
Similar bi-partisan legislation was introduced in April by Reps. Nita Lowey (D-NY) and David Reichert (R-WA) in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Education for All Act of 2010 calls for U.S. leadership to help developing countries build capacity to create and implement their own quality basic education.
“We welcome this legislation and its inclusion of key areas such as teacher training, and look forward to working together on the details to support early childhood development programs and ensure children receive quality education,” said Klosson. “Sitting in an ineffective school, where little is learned, is not meaningful.”
Added Klosson, “We look forward to working with Congress to garner bi-partisan support and passage of this bill. Education, especially when begun at a young age, is one of the best U.S. government investments we can make in providing a hand up to help change the future for children, their communities and their countries.”
The Senate bill was introduced days before world leaders will meet at a UN Millennium Development Goal Summit to review progress toward eight global goals, including achieving universal primary education by 2015.
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Save the Children education programs reached nearly 4 million girls and boys in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East in 2009. Save the Children is the leading, independent organization that creates lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world.
