"Let me learn"
Nearly two-thirds of 10-year-olds are unable to read and understand a simple text.
Nearly two-thirds of 10-year-olds are estimated to be unable to read and understand a simple text. Without urgent action, this global learning crisis will become a generational catastrophe.
Education systems are failing our children.
Education systems were already failing our children even before the pandemic. COVID-19 exacerbated this learning crisis and children in almost every country have fallen behind in their learning.
We need a global effort to tackle the learning crisis head on. Together, we can help every child gain basic reading and maths skills and unlock their potential.
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Learn what needs to happen
For partners and policymakers
For young people
UNICEF in action
What needs to happen
UNICEF is calling on governments to:
- Reach every child and keep them in school
- Assess learning levels regularly
- Prioritize teaching the fundamentals
- Increase catch-up learning and progress beyond what was lost
- Develop psychosocial health and well-being so every child is ready to learn.
🔎 See which government are making progress on foundational learning
For partners and policymakers
We need urgent action from governments and other partners to invest in education. Without ambitious action on basic reading and maths, with a focus on the most marginalized children, we will fail to achieve the SDGs by 2030.
NEW REPORT: Less than half of all countries surveyed have a specific focus on foundational literacy and numeracy in their national curriculum.
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For young people
Did you know that education is a human right? But too many children around the world still don’t go to school. And an even larger number of kids who are in schools, aren’t getting the quality education they deserve.
Express your views and support for the issues that matter to you on Voices of Youth – UNICEF's digital community for youth, by youth.
For parents
Is your child getting ready for preschool or is anxious about going back to school? Find tips on how to support them, as well as many other parenting resources on UNICEF’s Parenting Hub.
For teachers
Children depend on their teachers to help them catch-up on lost learning in a safe and supportive environment. UNICEF stands with teachers everywhere in calling for more investment, training and support for their work.