Classroom educators across the United States will participate in activities surrounding "Send My Friend to School Week," April 24-30, organized by the Global Campaign for Education (GCE) and Education International. Actress Angelina Jolie is serving as honorary chair of the event and will appear from Africa on the Today Show on NBC some time during the week.

Angelina Jolie, Honorary Chair of the 2006 Send My Friend to School Week. Photo courtesy of Global Campaign for Education.

Every year the GCE launches a global action week to raise public awareness and to pressure  politicians to provide more funding and greater leadership in achieving education for all. The United Nations estimates that at least 15 million more teachers are needed for the goal of universal primary education alone. In many low-income countries, teachers are hired with little training are often are forced to cope with enormous classes, meager pay and poor living and working conditions. Yet good teachers are essential for children to learn, and female teachers are particularly important for helping girls stay in school, says GCE.

Click here for ideas on classroom activities and to download materials that raise awareness about this issue.

April, 2006