Latin American governments, led by Peru, expressed their commitment to invest at least 6% of their corresponding gross domestic products (GDP) to help improve quality of education, during the World Education Forum 2015.
Speaking from South Korea, Peru’s Education Minister Jaime Saavedra Chanduvi said this remarkable agreement reveals the commitment assumed by States to improve learning by 2030, which upcoming governments will have to fulfill.
“It is necessary to invest more in education since it is main tool to achieve inclusive growth, as well as to reduce poverty and inequality in the region,” he pointed out.
The deal, signed Thursday by participating countries in the South Korean city of Incheon, determines that decision makers should also consider that education allocations shall account for 20% of each Latin American nation’s budget.
In Peru, the sectors’ budget exceeds S/.23 million (about US$7.3 million), that is, 3.4% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and accounts for 17% of the Republic’s budget.
Minister Saavedra, President of the Latin American and Caribbean Group (Grulac), explained the regional agreement arguments supported by 120 ministers present at the forum.
In his speech, he said increased resources will help build quality inclusive education systems with highly qualified teachers and leading principals by 2030.
The objective, he added, is to ensure learning takes place, so that students can acquire cognitive and non-cognitive skills useful to get a decent job, develop business ventures, and have a dignified life. This way they will contribute to the sustainable development of their families and society in general.
“The millennium goals in the field of education were not completely achieved and though significant improvement was seen in education coverage, it was not enough. Millions of children around the world and across the region don’t learn the basics, which is absolutely unacceptable,” Saavedra told his counterparts.
In his closing remarks, he pointed out education equals opportunities and allows boys, girls and young people to have the chance to develop their full potential.
(END) NDP/SMS/RRC/RMB/MVB
Published: 5/23/2015