Non-state sector involvement in education is growing. It is estimated 21% of African students and 40% of Indian students attend private schools, many of those affordable private schools for low-income students. These schools can expand access and improve learning outcomes for some of the most marginalized children and Global Schools Forum was established to support that effort through advocating for the non-state education sector at an international level.
When we first invested, we hoped that Global Schools Forum would become a platform for non-state education sector to collaborate and learn from each other, as well as become a global voice. Indeed, GSF has helped to advocate and build capacity of this vast, fragmented, and rapidly growing sector. In global policy, GSF has helped influence global policy makers and funders and built broad momentum in the sector, especially with multi and bi-lateral stakeholders.
Our diverse membership is testament to the scale and variety of the non-state education sector that has grown rapidly over the last two decades, and now provides education to at least one out of five children around the world.