Global Newsletter | July 2026

UNESCO reports decline in global aid to education

According to the Global Education Monitoring Report published this month, the education financing crisis is worsening at a significantly faster rate than previously estimated, with low and lower-middle income countries most affected.

“Education is the most powerful investment countries can make, yet it is being systematically underfunded. Our projections show that global aid to education will decline by up to 30% between 2023 and 2027, perpetuating a cycle of underinvestment, inequality, and stalled development." — UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Meet Room to Read Author Advocate, Emma Pei Yin

For author Emma Pei Yin, storytelling is both an art and an act of preservation. As she puts it, “Representation matters because stories shape our sense of who is significant. When people repeatedly see themselves missing from books, or only appearing at the margins, it can quietly suggest that their lives are less worthy of attention.”

Emma recently took the time to talk with us about her story and the transformation that life skills can bring for girls as they find their voices and sense of self.

HEAR HER STORY

What education reform looks like on the ground

Educational reform is often measured by policies launched, programs rolled out, and budgets disbursed. The truest measure is simpler. Are children learning to read?

In India, Room to Read supports Mission Ankur, one of the most ambitious system-wide education reforms in the world. Through government partnership, our literacy team provides district-level support to help translate policy into practice, ensuring teachers understand and adopt new approaches.

SEE HOW WE DO IT

Education continues to be critically underfunded, yet it is the most effective tool for solving some of the world’s greatest challenges — inequality, climate change, and poverty.

Join us to help break this cycle and give every child the chance to reach their full potential. Consider donating today.