The Global Campaign for Education-US is extremely concerned regarding recent guidance issued by the Department of State which orders an immediate pause on new foreign aid spending and a stop-work order for existing grants and contracts. In addition to the Trump Administration’s Executive Order which placed a 90-day pause on aid spending, this directive will undermine the stability and effectiveness of U.S. global assistance efforts.
“A review of U.S. foreign aid is well within the scope of the Trump Administration’s mandate, yet this approach will only result in confusion and uncertainty at the least and lives lost at the worst,” said Giulia McPherson, Executive Director. “U.S. foreign assistance is a lifeline to millions of U.S. allies and partners around the world and serves as a critical conduit to education programs that contribute to global peace and security. Abruptly stopping these programs will tarnish the U.S.’s reputation abroad and leave gaps that other influences will seek to fill.”
Over the course of five years (2019-2023), the U.S. Government implemented global education programs that reached more than 34 million learners, trained 2.9 million teachers and educators, and supplied 176 million textbooks and other teaching and learning materials. Research shows that education programs increase economic prosperity, reduce risk of conflict, and strengthen public health. When schooling is disrupted for any reason, children – especially girls – have a higher chance of experiencing learning loss. These losses will erode progress achieved through previous U.S. investments in basic education programs.
“We urge the administration to reconsider this pause and instead conduct its review with minimal disruption, recognizing the critical importance of continued investment in global education programs,” said McPherson. “By doing so, we can ensure a safer, stronger, and more prosperous world for all.”