Blog by Amy Folan, Chairperson of INEW and Global Senior Education Adviser at Concern Worldwide
Today launches the 2026 Global Action Week for Education (GAWE 2026) – marking the 24th annual campaign organised by the Global Campaign for Education (GCE) of which INEW is a proud member. For 24 years, the global education movement GCE and its over 240 members across the world have been urging governments to fulfill their responsibility to achieving the right to education for all everywhere.
This year, amidst the growing challenges faced by the education sector and civil society, GAWE 2026 is dedicated to the theme of education financing – calling on governments and decision-makers to Hold the Flame High for Education.
Education movements are highlighting the urgent need to forge a strong defense of education financing as countries disinvest in education due to the impact of global crises and conflict.
This is crucial, as we know very well from research, statistics, and experience that education is fundamental in overcoming these crises and that it is the foundation in fostering social justice, equality, and peace. The achievements of education are significant, for example:
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For Global Health Outcomes, as education is the single greatest way of preventing child death. A child born to a mother who can read, is 50% more likely to survive past the age of 5. (2011 GEM Report on Gender)
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For Gender Equality, as each additional year of secondary education can reduce the risk for girls of marrying as a child and having a child before 18. (World Bank)
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For Fighting Poverty and Investing in Economic Growth, as every $1 invested in education in developing countries generates $10-$15 in economic growth. (UNESCO)
And education isn’t only needed when life is calm and stable. It is vital during crisis and evidence shows that education is prioritised by communities, parents and children even during crisis serving as a lifeline of structure and normalcy and the hopes for a future.
Yet, the out-of-school rate has risen for the seventh consecutive year and 273 million children are out of school worldwide, with a projected decline in international support to education risking that this number will rise to 278 million in 2026. Moreover, the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025 warns that SDG 4 is off track and goals will be missed if urgent actions are not accelerated. The report even highlights that part of the SDG 4 goals are regressing, as Target 4.c on qualified teachers has undergone a setback due to the massive teacher shortage affecting the world globally with 50 million teachers needed by 2030.
Cuts in official development assistance (ODA) threaten education and the aim of leaving no one behind even more as the OECD recorded a 23% drop in ODA in 2025. Education assistance is especially threatened as it was significantly less impacted by the overall and much needed ODA growth until 2023 (68% between 2014 and 2023 for overall ODA) with education only grown by 38%. With about 68 million children in school systems most dependent on international aid, cuts will have a dire impact on education.
GAWE 2026 therefore calls on all supporters to actively advocate with governments, intergovernmental bodies, and institutions, emphasising the urgent need to strategically prioritise financing for inclusive, equitable and safe quality education.
It particularly calls on developed countries to deliver on their commitment to address inequalities across countries by allocating 0.7% of their GNI to ODA, with education in development and emergency contexts a priority. It also calls to urgently replenish the two global funds, fundamental in achieving this work: the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Education Cannot Wait (ECW) in 2026.
By calling for governments, partners, and civil society to Hold the Flame High for Education, we’re reminding the world of the power of education to address the world’s crises and increase social justice and peace.
You can follow the Global Action Week for Education (GAWE) on GCE’s website and social media (Facebook, Instragram, and LinkedIn). The global launch just took place online and more events will follow across the regions. And you can also use GCE’s campaign pack for GAWE 2026 to share its message across your networks.
At INEW, we are proud to host our first-ever Education Worldwide Conference next week in Dublin (in-person only) on 28 April. In the context of GAWE 2026, our programme will address pressing issues such as the Future of Financing Education and the Power of Multilateralism in Advancing Education with speakers from GPE, ECW, GCE, many of our members and more.
We look forward to seeing you there and happy GAWE 2026!
