Questions

What is this website about?

This website will help schools get involved in the Send My Friend to School 2010 campaign – 1GOAL – to get an education for all children.

It is divided into five sections: 1GOAL; Our Goals, Teaching Resources, Global and News. In the 1GOAL section find out all about this year’s campaign action. Our Goals has information about we want to achieve. Teaching Resources contains lesson plans, case studies and films to help your students understand about the importance of literacy, why education is important and how small actions can lead to changes on a global scale through influencing your MP and the Prime Minister. Global tells you all about campaigning in other countries and in News you can find out about the latest events.

What is the problem?

There are 72 million children around the world who miss out on school because of poverty.

There are many reasons for this: for example, some children have to pay to go to school and others have to work to earn money to support the family. In some places there are just no schools, or no qualified teachers to work in them. Other children are discriminated against because of a disability, or are living in countries affected by war. Even when children do go to school, they may find themselves in very large classes of more than 100 pupils - and may still miss out on a good education.

Why is progress slowing down?

A lot of progress was made when some countries, like Kenya, abolished school fees and a lot of children went to school for the first time. But it’s not enough to solve the whole problem. Promises have been made by rich countries but they have been very slow to match these promises with money.

There are other obstacles too:

  • Many children are still missing out because governments need to make plans to extend education opportunities to everyone - whether they are a boy or a girl, rich or poor, living in a situation of war or one of peace.
  • Governments also need to work to improve the quality of education to stop millions of children from leaving school early. We need enough teachers for every child, which means 18 million more teachers by 2015.

You can find out more about what we're asking governments to do on the What We Want page.

What should happen next?

Right now we need all governments to make education a top priority.

They must make good plans that give every child a place in school and a quality education.

Richer countries need to give a lot more aid money, about three times as much as they are currently giving. The UK Government made a good start, pledging £8.5 billion by 2015, but the big challenge they face is spending the money they have promised.

If everyone does their bit we still have time to get all children into school by 2015.

Why are we sending messages to the Prime Minister?

The Prime Minister is finally responsible for the policy and decisions of the UK Government.

He represents the country at G8 and other international meetings.

The UK Government have made an important promise that the UK government will give extra aid money to ensure that all children get the chance to go to school.

It’s really important that we make sure the Prime Minister keeps that promise and keeps up the pressure on other rich nations to play their part in supporting education for all.

If you're interested in the detail of what, as the GCE UK, we're asking the UK government then check out our policy page.

Is this a new campaign?

No! Send my Friend to School has been running for six years. We’re part of a huge global movement called the Global Campaign for Education. Take a look at the Timeline to see what our achievements have been so far.

How many schools have been involved so far?

10,000 schools and millions of children have been involved so far in the UK.

And we’re part of something really huge because all around the world people are also getting involved. More than 18 million people in 100 countries have taken part in campaigning activities. In 2008 we set an amazing world record when 8.8 million people all did a lesson at the same time to make it the World’s Biggest Lesson!

Which other schools are taking part?

After you have registered help us spread the word by telling colleagues in your school and other schools. We need to get as many schools as possible to join in and make a HUGE noise and make sure that world leaders take notice and make education a priority!

If you want news about events and work going on in other schools then check out our News section and sign up to our monthly E-newsletter.

Can we raise money to help?

Yes, although this isn't part of the Send My Friend to School ’09 action. Fundraising is important, but massive change can only happen with the support of governments.

All the charities involved with Send My Friend to School ’09 support projects which help families and communities improve their situation and get children into school, and you can support any of them individually. Find a list of the charities behind Send My Friend to School '09 here.

How can I find out more and take part?

You can find out more, and read the latest news, by signing up to the Send My Friend to School E-newsletter. The E-newsletter will be emailed straight to your Inbox once a month during term time.

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