As the start of the new school year marks a new beginning for millions of children, it is essential to remember that access to education remains a privilege for many.
Although education has been described as a fundamental right, more than 250 million children around the world will not be returning to school at the start of the new school year. This alarming fact demonstrates the persistent shortcomings in terms of access to quality education. Contrary to popular belief, France has not been spared, with 100,000 children not attending school, left behind by a system that struggles to integrate them all. Of those who have the opportunity to start school, 2 out of 5 will not have the necessary skills to read or understand a simple text by the age of 10.
At a time when the start of the new school year symbolises success, hope and the future, these figures are a reminder of the urgent need to mobilise for quality education that is genuinely accessible to all.
