- What is this website about?
- What is the problem?
- What is being done to address the problem?
- Why are MPs so important this year?
- Why are the 'missing out' cards, photos and messages being sent to Gordon Brown?
- Is this a new campaign?
- How many schools have been involved so far?
- How can I see what other schools have done?
- Can we raise money to help?
- How can I find out more and take part?
This website will help schools get involved in the Send My Friend to School ’08 campaign to get an education for all children.
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.
In 2000, world leaders agreed that all children have the right to an education and promised to make sure that all children in the world receive a primary education by 2015.
In 2005 Tony Blair was the Chair of the G8 and President of the European Union - this meant he was very influential and it was why we sent him Send My Friend buddies to remind him of all the children who miss out on school.
Since then, some governments, including the UK, are doing more. This has meant that millions more children go to school. When the Send My Friend campaign started, there were 100 million children missing out on education, according to figures released in 1999. Global surveys take a long time, and a new report has not been released until this year, showing the total number of children missing out is now 72 million.
Although this is an amazing reduction, unfortunately it is not quick enough and if governments don't step up their response, the 2015 target date looks almost impossible.
In June 2007, leaders of the G8 countries (these are 8 of the richest and most powerful countries in the world) met in Heiligendamm, in Germany, to discuss 'The Struggle Against Poverty'. Education is one of the main ways that individuals and communities can tackle poverty, so we tried to ensure it was at the top of their agenda. You can find out more about what we're asking governments to do on the What We Want page.
This year we want to get lots of Members of Parliament or MPs to know about Send My Friend to School ’08.
They are powerful people who have a real say in what the UK Government does and can make sure they keep their promises. This includes their promise to help get every child into primary school by 2015.
Local MPs often like the chance to come to schools and hear what children and young people have to say. This is because it's their job to represent your area and because they know how important it is to engage with future voters.
We need you to contact them by sending the a 'missing out' card and asking them to decorate it. If you haven't already got your FREE resource kit with 'missing out' cards for pupils and MPs then sign up now!
As Prime Minister Gordon Brown 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 and Gordon Brown 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 he keeps that promise and that he 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 latest policy report
No! Send my Friend to School has been running for four years.
10,000 UK schools and millions of children have been involved so far, and that's only in the UK!
You will be able to read about the work going on in other schools in our News section.
Yes, although this isn't part of the Send My Friend to School ’08 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 ’08 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 '08 here.
You can find out more, and read the latest news, by signing up to receive a pack of FREE campaign resources and subscribing to the Send My Friend to School ’08 E-newsletter. The E-newsletter will be emailed straight to your Inbox once a month, until the end of the school year.
