On June 16, 2025, Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a report highlighting the persistent underinvestment in education by African governments, warning that millions of children are being denied access to quality public education. The announcement coincided with the African Union’s Day of the African Child, which focuses on children’s rights and education reform.
Failure to Meet Global Education Funding Targets
HRW emphasized that most African nations fall short of internationally agreed benchmarks, including UNESCO’s recommendation that countries allocate 4–6% of GDP or 15–20% of total public expenditure to education. In December 2024, the African Union raised its GDP benchmark to 7%, yet only one-third of African countries met the target over the past decade, with numbers dropping to one-quarter by 2022.
Severe Consequences of Underfunding
The funding crisis has led to:
- Overcrowded classrooms and undertrained teachers.
- 100 million children and adolescents unable to access education, making Africa the region with the highest out-of-school rates globally.
- Families bearing 27% of total education costs, increasing financial strain.
The $77 Billion Education Funding Gap
HRW estimates that $183 billion is needed annually to meet the AU’s Sustainable Development Goals for education, yet available resources stand at only $106 billion, leaving a 40% financing gap.
Debt Burden and Social Inequality
HRW attributes the crisis to political decisions, economic policies, and austerity measures, noting that 15 African countries spend more on debt servicing than on education. The lack of investment disproportionately affects children from low-income households and young girls, who face tuition fees, gender-based violence, and discrimination against pregnant or parenting students.
Call for Urgent Action
As Africa observes the AU’s Year of Education 2025, HRW urges governments to prioritize education funding and fulfill their legal commitments to provide free and compulsory education.
For more details, visit Human Rights Watch or JURIST.
