Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the world was grappling with a critical learning crisis. But the pandemic worsened the situation, with an estimated 70% of 10-year-olds unable to understand a simple written text, according to The State of Global Learning Poverty: 2022 Update.
In an effort to address the pressing challenges facing global education, the Knowledge E Foundation joined over 50 other funders and foundations in signing the International Education Funders Group (IEFG) Statement in Support of Education, which was presented at the 2022 UN Transforming Education Summit.
Endorsed by leading signatories and prepared in collaboration with the OECD Development Centre and netFWD, the IEFG statement notes that targets set for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all, are at risk of not being met.
Due to the rapid pace of technological changes and uncertainty of the future, hundreds of millions of children, young people, and adults have been deprived of access to education, deepening the educational disparities that exist. To accelerate progress towards achieving SDG 4, the statement underscores the critical role of philanthropy in transforming education for the future. It calls for concerted efforts to promote evidence-based practices, foster innovation, and provide strategic support to governments and local communities to address the underlying challenges in education.
Kamran R. Kardan, founder of the Knowledge E Foundation, said: “The pandemic has laid bare the disparities in educational access and quality worldwide. It is imperative that we all come together to ensure that every person has the opportunity to learn and thrive, regardless of their circumstances. Signing the IEFG statement signifies our commitment to this cause and our belief in the power of collective action to effect meaningful change."
Since its inception, the Knowledge E Foundation has worked towards fostering a world where education is truly accessible and inclusive to every individual.
Over the years, the foundation has supported and contributed to a wide range of causes, such as funding education projects, building and renovating schools in remote areas, offering aid for disaster relief efforts, empowering research, and endorsing the movement towards Open Science. Its efforts have left a lasting positive impact on many countries around the world, including in Cambodia, Egypt, Malawi, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Senegal, and the UAE.