§ 6. Mr. Bill Michie (Sheffield, Heeley)What progress was made at the world education forum in Dakar on putting in place policies to deliver high-quality primary education for all children? [119356]
§ The Secretary of State for International Development (Clare Short)The Dakar forum resulted in a strong political commitment by national governments and the international community for education for all and the development of national action plans, and agreement on the need for significantly enhanced investment by governments and donors for primary education. United Nations conferences cannot require sovereign Governments to prioritise primary education, but can encourage and monitor progress. I am confident that developing country Governments are now aware that educating a generation of children even to primary level, including girls, is the most effective development intervention that a country can make. I hope that we will be able to drive this commitment forward.
§ Mr. MichieI thank my right hon. Friend for that full and frank reply. In terms of her Department, what are the implications of the Dakar forum for the future? What steps does she think may be necessary to ensure that Governments of developing countries and donors fulfil the commitments that they made at Dakar, so that all children have the right to primary education?
§ Clare ShortMy hon. Friend will probably know that the bulk of the spending on education by most developing countries is directed to higher education. The reason is that elites are powerful in very poor countries. They live in the cities and they can usually pre-empt expenditure. It is a difficult political task to get a commitment to spending on the poorest children in rural areas.
We are working hard on this task through the international system and by contributing more funds. We have committed £300 million over the past three years. The call at Dakar for a special international fund will not do the job—we must persuade Governments and their civil societies to prioritise the education of poor children. We are making progress and there must be sustained interest in doing so through to 2015.
§ Mr. Andrew Rowe (Faversham and Mid-Kent)Does the Secretary of State share my anxiety that in certain countries in sub-Saharan Africa primary education has become susceptible to charging for various elements of it, whether it be books, uniforms or whatever? This is proving a disincentive to families. Did the Dakar forum address that issue?
§ Clare ShortThe hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. Kenya, for example, is a big spender on education, but 98 per cent. of its expenditure goes on teachers, and there is nothing for books, chalk or anything else, so parents are charged and poor children do not go to school. That distortion applies throughout the system, which is why a special top-up fund will not do. It is important to get Governments committed to educating all children, including poor children—and particularly girls, who tend to be excluded. As the hon. Gentleman knows, countries 138 such as Uganda and Malawi, which is very poor, are giving a lead, and we must spread that commitment internationally.
The World Bank's evidence is clear: educating a generation of children, including the girls, even only to primary level, is the strongest development intervention that any country can make. If countries want development, they must educate all their children.