In less than two weeks, world leaders will gather during the UN General Assembly and pledge their support for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).

We have been busy raising our voices to call on the British government to maintain UK funding to GPE by pledging £430 million. This would enable GPE to train 1.15 million teachers, allow 11.49 million more girls to attend school, and improve the quality of education for over 84.3 million children by 2030, directly advancing the UK’s international development priorities.

We recently welcomed the UK’s commitment to provide £80 million to Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the global fund for education in emergencies. We encourage the government to also maintain their pledge to GPE, to support longer-term education system strengthening and development, which is vital and complementary work alongside support in emergencies.

Widespread support in the UK for global education, with young people leading the charge

Members of the British public have been calling for support for GPE; including activists, parliamentarians, civil society and young people.

Children and young people must be a part of this conversation as the decisions the government makes today will impact their futures most. Last week, Dinah Owiredu, GPE Youth Leader, visited the FCDO and Downing Street to hand-in the youth call to action. This has been supported by 125,000+ young people globally.

“We call on world leaders to invest boldly in education, because education multiplies possibilities for people, peace, and the planet. Back quality, inclusive, and relevant education systems with real resources, innovative financing, and unwavering commitment, especially for those who need it most. Fund what matters. Fund education.” GPE Youth Call to Action, 2026

Dinah Owiredu, GPE Youth Leader, Outside 10 Downing Street – Global Partnership for Education

In a YouGov poll commissioned by Send My Friend to School, it showed that over half of the UK public (55%) think the UK should be using its overseas aid budget to ensure children’s access to education in developing countries. This figure rose in the younger generation, with nearly three-quarters of 18–24 year olds (74%) supporting overseas aid being used in this way.

Parliamentarian support for investing in global education

Bambos Charalambous MP and Rachel Gilmour MP, members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Global Education, recently travelled to Malawi with Results UK to witness first-hand the difference that UK support through expertise and funding has had.

However, when they returned, the UK government announced the effective end of the UK’s long-standing bilateral support for the country. Over the coming three years, compared with 2023-2025, there will be an estimated £600 million reduction in UK bilateral aid to education. In this context, multilateral funding for education is more important than ever. Writing for PoliticsHome, they have said…

“Nothing will compensate for the end of direct funding to partner governments resulting from UK aid cuts. However, affirming UK support for GPE and maintaining funding at current levels will go some way to reducing the funding gaps those countries now face.” Bambos Charalambous MP and Rachel Gilmour MP, Politics Home, 2026.

In May, as the UK hosted the largest gathering of the world’s education and skills ministers whilst simultaneously cutting back its support for global education, Ellie Chowns MP wrote in The Independent that: “It is a moment that should showcase British leadership. Instead, it exposes a growing contradiction in the UK’s presence on the global stage – one in which the UK positions itself a convenor of the world’s education leaders, while simultaneously denying them meaningful support for their vital work.”

At the start of September, a group of MPs got together, led by International Development Committee chair Sarah Champion MP and joined by UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls Baroness Harriet Harman to discuss GPE’s work on gender equality in education. As Parliament returned, Chris Law MP, the Scottish National Party spokesperson for International Development, sponsored an Early Day Motion calling on the government to maintain its funding for GPE.

Civil society groups urge UK Government to maintain support for GPE

Over the past few weeks, members of the Send My Friend to School coalition have been making the case about the value of investing in GPE. United in our conviction that all children everywhere should have access to inclusive and equitable quality education, we have been highlighting how GPE is one of the most effective routes left to support global education.

The UK Government is currently prioritising Official Development Assistance (ODA) through multilateral organisations and looking for innovative methods that unlock additional resources.

GPE offers exactly this kind of approach. A UK contribution to GPE does not act in isolation; it catalyzes financing from other governments, development banks, multiplying the impact of every pound invested.

With time running out, the most from across society is clear. GPE offers a way to deliver on the UK’s aim of strengthening national education systems, supporting partner government leadership, at the same time as delivering on the UK’s wider priorities such as responding to the climate crisis, building resilience to conflict and crises, advancing equality for women and girls, and creating healthier, more equal and prosperous societies.