§ 15. Mr. RendelTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the progress being made towards eliminating gender inequalities in basic education. [111187]
ClareIn the 10 years since the first Education for All conference in Jomtien considerable progress has been made in spreading support for the education of girls294W in developing countries. Countries themselves are increasingly convinced of the need to include girls and progress is being made. The research evidence is clear that educating girls leads to major development gains as the girls grow up in smaller families, improved child survival and enhanced household income. We are committed to mobilising increased international commitment to the international development targets of universal primary education by 2015 and gender equity in primary and secondary schooling by 2005.