Around the world, education is in crisis, and the numbers are staggering. UNICEF warns that “about 6 million more children could be out of school, one-third of them in humanitarian settings—by the end of 2026” as international education funding is slashed (Vatican News).
The UN agency projects that Official Development Assistance (ODA) for education will drop by $3.2 billion USD, a 24% decrease compared to 2023. This means the total number of children not in school will rise to 278 million, “the equivalent of emptying every primary school in Germany and Italy combined” (Vatican News).
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This is not just an education statistic, this is a spiritual and moral emergency. As Catholics, we believe every child is made in the image and likeness of God and deserves the opportunity to grow in wisdom, knowledge, and faith.
“Every dollar cut from education isn’t just a budget decision – it puts a child’s future at risk,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “It also gives children the best chance to escape poverty and build a better life” (Vatican News).
The Hardest Hit
West and Central Africa are projected to be hit hardest, with nearly 2 million children at risk of losing access to education. Countries like Côte d’Ivoire and Mali could see enrollment drop by 4% (Vatican News). In crisis regions such as the Rohingya refugee camps, 350,000 children are at risk of permanently losing education, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking (Vatican News).
And even for those who remain enrolled, “at least 290 million students globally [are] projected to face a decline in education quality” as teacher development, school meal programs, and data-based planning are cut back (Vatican News).
A Catholic Response
This crisis calls Catholics everywhere to act. Catholic education has always been a lifeline — forming not just the mind but the soul. At Catholic Online School, we believe that no child should lose access to faith-filled education because of where they live or how much their family can afford.
That is why Catholic Online School remains 100% free to every student, everywhere, for every grade. But we can only continue this mission with your help.
Our free online courses already reach over 1 million learners worldwide, including students in regions facing war, poverty, and persecution. Your support today helps us create more classes, translate lessons into more languages, and keep Catholic education free for the poorest of the poor.
Help Us Protect the Future
As UNICEF reminds the world, “investing in children’s education is one of the best investments we can make for the future, for everyone” (Vatican News). For us, that means investing in the future of the Church and in the eternal souls of children who deserve to know Christ.
Join us in this mission.
