Barriers to Education
Where a child lives determines what barriers are most pressing for them, but these are some of the most common barriers that out-of-school children face:
Poverty
Parents or guardians do not have the financial capacity to send their children to school or to afford school uniforms and supplies. In some of the communities where Plan International works, a lack of schools, access to clean water and health facilities also impacts children’s ability to exercise their right to education.
Gender Inequality
In some cultures, boys and girls are valued differently. Boys’ education is often prioritized because they may be seen as future earners but depending on the family’s situation, they may have to drop out of school early to financially support the family. Boys are also more vulnerable to being lured into gangs or becoming child soldiers. When girls are allowed to go to school, they may drop out because of menstruation, child marriage, household chores, gender-based violence and more.
Emergencies
When disasters like earthquakes hit, or when war breaks out, families may become displaced and unable to prioritize or access education for their children. 75 million children and youth, predominately girls, are out of school in 35 crisis-affected countries.