UNESCO and Global Partners Urge Overhaul of Education Financing Amid Deepening Learning Crisis

Paris, July 2025 — A pressing call for change in international education financing has been issued by IIEP-UNESCO in partnership with Agence Française de Développement (AFD), as countries worldwide face a growing crisis in learning outcomes and stagnating education budgets. In a newly released policy brief, the organizations emphasize the urgent need to reform how aid is delivered and to strengthen the role of national leadership in shaping educational progress.

Despite long-standing global pledges to prioritize education, the report highlights that international aid dedicated to the sector has largely flatlined. Since 2005, country programmable aid (CPA) for education has grown by a mere 12%, with virtually no increase since 2016. This stagnation is alarming, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has deepened educational inequality and strained already under-resourced systems.

The brief critiques the current aid model, arguing that fragmented and donor-driven mechanisms are failing to produce the transformative impact required to meet today’s challenges. It stresses that aid must be better aligned with national priorities, with local governments empowered to lead their own educational strategies.

Key proposals from the policy brief include:

Putting countries in the driver’s seat: International partners should allow national governments to set education agendas based on local realities, fostering ownership and accountability.

Supporting national systems: Instead of establishing parallel structures, aid should be integrated into existing public systems to strengthen capacity and ensure long-term benefits.

Boosting donor coordination: The current lack of coordination among international agencies and donors is leading to inefficiencies. The report urges a unified approach to reduce overlap and maximize impact.

This timely intervention by IIEP-UNESCO and AFD reflects a growing consensus that without a more strategic and cooperative funding framework, the global education community will fall short of the Sustainable Development Goal 4 — ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

The brief concludes that reimagining the way education is financed is not optional — it is essential. As millions of children continue to face barriers to learning, investing in smart, sustainable, and locally driven education systems is critical for building resilient societies and securing global progress in the decades to come.