News

The number of out-of-school children in India without access to primary education is estimated at almost 1.7 million, and poverty is identified as a fundamental challenge to enrolment. However, gender discrimination is a significant contributor to the growing number of out-of-school children. To many poor families, educating a girl means losing her as an income provider for the family.

Conflict and instability in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past 30 years have forced a substantial number of refugees to flee to the Islamic Republic of Iran, with the country currently hosting more than 882,000 refugees.

There are over two million out-ofschool children in Ethiopia. A lack of infrastructure, early childhood marriage, child labour and, in some cases, a general distrust of formal education are all barriers that prevent children from going to school.

The Bharti Foundation was set up in 2000 to contribute to the development of India. As the philanthropic arm of the Bharti Group of Companies, it works to bridge the existing education divide and make quality education accessible to underprivileged children in rural India.

With a population of more than 160 million, Bangladesh recognises the value of education. However, while its government provides free primary, secondary, and tertiary education, access to education is hindered by poverty and extreme weather in specific regions of the country.

On a recent trip to a remote village in the Brazilian Amazon, Her Highness engaged students, teachers, and community members in a thoughtful discussion about language.