UNESCO's most recent Global Education Monitoring Report exposed that 251 million children and youth are not attending school worldwide, despite significant educational advancements and international pledges.

The data indicates a worrying lack of progress in global attempts to achieve universal education, as the out-of-school population has only decreased by 1% in nearly a decade.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay stated that education drives prosperous, inclusive, and peaceful societies. Quality education may become exclusive without global efforts to ensure equal opportunities for all children to learn and succeed.