Dear Decision Makers, Amid mounting global crises, we are alarmed to see that the world is turning away from oneof the greatest proven investments for peace, prosperity and equality: education.While notable progress has been made in access to and completion of education globally,that progress is quickly eroding. Today, more than 273 million children and youth are outof school. This number has risen for the seventh consecutive year. There are also 234 million crisis-affected children and adolescents urgently in need ofeducational support. Around the world, children are being uprooted from their homes,pushed out of classrooms, or left searching for pathways to education as conflict, economicand climate-driven shocks, and instability escalate. Those already facing marginalisation,including girls, children with disabilities, refugee children, and those affected by extremepoverty are being hit hardest. At the same time, teachers, the backbone of every education system, are beingstretched beyond their limits. Too often under-trained, under-supported and underresourced,they are expected to sustain learning under impossible conditions with adeepening global teacher shortage. And yet, children, young people and students continue to raise their voices. In every context,including crisis settings, education remains their top priority. Children, young people,students and their families understand the hope and opportunity that only education canprovide. But widening financing gaps are failing them – leaving their needs unmet and theirright to learn and thrive unrealised. We stand in solidarity with children, young people, students and teachers worldwide to urgedecision makers to act now and protect education as the foundation for peaceful, healthy,equitable and prosperous societies. Across contexts, countries are stepping up their domestic investment in education. Newcommitments submitted to the Global Partnership for Education show that to date 44 partnercountries will mobilize an estimated $238 billion in domestic resources for educationbetween 2026 and 2030. To sustain and scale this leadership, catalytic OfficialDevelopment Assistance (ODA) through effective, country-led partnerships isessential. Education cannot remain a casualty of political inaction or competing priorities. It is alifeline – one that underpins long-term peace and security, climate resilience, economicgrowth, gender equality, and progress toward all of the Sustainable Development Goals.2026 is a pivotal year to protect education. The two major global education funds – theGlobal Partnership for Education (GPE) and Education Cannot Wait (ECW) – requireambitious and immediate investment to reach the children who need support most. At a timeof shrinking budgets, investment in both ECW and GPE offers a cost-effective, high-impactway to give all children the opportunity to learn – whether through providing emergencyeducation in times of crises, or building strong resilient education systems that will sustaininvestments over time. They must be fully supported and financed. We are calling on decision makers to: