Switzerland and several major countries have announced significant cuts to their international cooperation this year. The USA, for example, has frozen USD 60 billion in foreign aid for 90 days (AP News). The UK has shifted £6 billion from foreign aid to its defence budget (ONE.org). The international cooperation budget has been cut by 35% in France, while Germany and Belgium have made similar cuts. Switzerland has also announced plans to discontinue several international initiatives and the Netherlands is planning cuts until 2029, signalling a turning point in long-term international collaboration agreements (Euronews, Euronews).
These losses are likely to have severe implications for international education programmes. Essential programmes that provide teacher training, school infrastructure and teaching materials have already been shut down by the suspension of USAID. In countries already struggling with educational inequality, this will lead to significant setbacks (TIME). Similarly, the UK’s cuts are jeopardising vital projects such as those aimed at improving access to schooling for girls in conflict zones (Euronews).
The devastating consequences of such cuts include increased learning disparities and dropout rates, and ultimately growing inequality and poverty as the disruptions will leave millions of children without access to school and learning materials. In regions with existing shortages in education funding, these “savings” will be the cause of widening gaps in literacy and numeracy. Consequently, these austerity measures threaten not only the lives of individuals, but also the long-term economic growth and social stability of entire nations, undermining global efforts to achieve education and sustainability goals (Reuters).
GCE supports the statements of RECI and GCE US against the cuts in education. The organisation expresses concern about the suspension of funding for critical education programmes by both the US and Switzerland and urges the governments to protect and increase education funding. The cutbacks jeopardise international efforts to ensure quality education, especially in conflict zones. GCE calls for a reversal of the cuts to guarantee universal access to education.
Image © GCE US
