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<p>The COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated the global learning crisis, especially for
the most marginalised. It has been estimated that, at the peak of school closures,
1.3 billion children – 650 million girls - were removed from primary and secondary
education. Girls face particular vulnerabilities that mean the most disadvantaged
girls are at risk of dropping out of school permanently. As the effects of the COVID-19
crisis play out, the socio-economic impact on girls’ education in developing countries
is becoming increasingly clear. From a learning perspective, closures – even with
mitigating actions - will significantly reduce learning hours. The effects of school
closures in developing countries are also much wider than reduced learning. For many
disadvantaged children in developing countries, school closures expose them to increased
hunger and malnutrition as well as increased risk of violence against women and girls.</p><p>The
UK remains committed to 12 years of quality education for all girls. In our most recent
published spend of ODA in 2018, our UK Bilateral ODA spend was £686 million and our
UK Multilateral ODA spend was £293.7 million. We understand our leadership on girls’
education is more urgent and important than ever. DFID is adapting its bilateral education
programmes in 18 countries. The UK has announced £20 million for the UN Children’s
Fund crisis appeal, which includes education, and a further £5 million to the Education
Cannot Wait fund to support emergency education in fragile contexts. The Global Partnership
for Education, to which the UK is the largest donor, is flexing over £200 million
to support education sector stability in response to the pandemic. We are also supporting
efforts by UNICEF and others to support children back to school when it is safe to
do so.</p><p>Our education response to the pandemic is two-fold, firstly to ensure
preventative measures are taken to keep girls learning and returning to education,
mitigating short term risks by focussing on safety, nutrition, wellbeing and the continuity
of learning whilst schools are closed. Secondly, by supporting countries to protect
and maintain their education budgets and ensuring that we build back better.</p>
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