Created on: 06 Oct 2026
The EIS has written to the UK Minister for International Development, Kirsty McNeill MP, to highlight serious concerns over huge cuts to support for global education programmes by the UK Government.
The EIS had previously raised its concerns that any cuts to Global Partnership for Education (GPE) funding would impact on the training of teachers, the quality of education received by millions of children and the access to education in low-come countries – especially for girls.
Sadly, the UK government subsequently announced that its funding allocation to GPE was to be cut by 77% - a decision that the EIS believes will have very serious ramifications for the education of young people around the world.
In the letter to the Minister, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley says, “Very disappointingly, your commitment of only £100 million over 5 years to support GPE represents a 77% cut from the previous commitment of £430 million made in 2021, and this will undoubtedly have significant impacts on the lives and life chances of children around the world.”
Ms Bradley’s letter goes on to say, “As a founding partner of GPE, and one of the largest donors to date, the UK’s leadership has been instrumental in attracting significant commitments from other donors.
"The 77% reduction in funding over the next 5 years represents a significant departure from the shared values underpinning the work of GPE; and will undermine our collective ability to meet our UN commitments. The cut to funding is quite appalling in and of itself, and risks others following suit.”
The letter adds, “It is not too late to prevent this seismic loss of education infrastructure.
"The EIS joins other associated organisations in urging ministers to provide additional annual top-up contributions over the course of GPE’s 2026-2030 strategic period, and to take bold political action to place education at the heart of the UK’s international development strategy, for the benefit of children and young people globally, and in the short and long-term interests of humanity and the world as a whole, particularly as we face such threats to truth, democracy, rights and our very existence."