§ Mr. WalterTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to ensure that every child in the world receives a free basic education as guaranteed under the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. [83402]
§ Clare ShortUnfortunately there has been little international effort to implement the rights to education outlined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the past.
The Government are strongly committed to mobilising greater international efforts to meet the millennium development goals. The target for education is to ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling. We are working with the UN and international financial institutions and national development agencies to heighten commitments to meet the target.
Since 1997 we have committed £700 million to basic education. Forecast commitment for the next five years are £1.3 billion. Of this £500 million will go to Africa and £800 million will go to Asia. These spending figures are forecasts and depend on agreeing quality programmes with partners.