Providing education for developing nations

The Australian Government will provide $140 million to a global education fund that is helping millions of children in developing nations go to school.

The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) is Australia's largest multilateral partner in education. It works in 59 countries to help children attend school, increase primary school completion, lift literacy and provide incentives for developing countries to increase their own domestic education funding.

In the last decade the GPE has assisted almost 22 million children to enrol in school.

Education is a key pillar of the Government's new aid policy framework. Our investment in GPE will complement our bilateral programs in education in 21 countries, and is part of this Government's $1.1 billion investment in education this year.

Australia has supported GPE since its foundation as the Education for All Fast Track Initiative. Our continuing support reflects the Government's view that education is fundamental to human development and economic growth.

Australia's pledge was announced in Brussels overnight by Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Brett Mason, at GPE's replenishment event.

Australia's pledge will be over the four years, 2015-18, and brings Australia's total support for GPE to date to $460 million.