22-04-04

Local MP goes back to school

Students at Corstorphine Primary School will welcome a classmate with a difference into lessons tomorrow (23rd April). John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, will go 'back to school' to discuss with some of his younger constituents why 100 million children worldwide miss out on a basic education.

Corstorphine Primary School is one of more than 1,000 schools across the UK participating in the MP's 'Back to School Day', part of the global Campaign for Education (GCE) Week of Action. Around the world, millions of children in 100 countries are joining in the lobbying effort.

Commenting, John Barrett said:

"Education is a basic human right. It is scandalous that so many children still do not get the chance to go to school. Although World leaders have promised to tackle this problem, unless the necessary funds are available, too many children will continue to miss out.

"The amount needed to address the educational shortfall is not excessive in 21st century terms. Just more than £3 billion a year would get every child into school; less than a weeks global military spending."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• MP's Back to School Day builds on the success of last year's GCE Week of Action when more than two million people in more than 70 countries broke the record for the biggest ever lesson.

• The Global Campaign for Education (GCE) is a coalition of charities, teachers' unions and citizens' groups from around the world dedicated to making the human right to a basic education a reality for all children.

• More information behind the MP's Back to School Day can be found at www.campaignforeducation.org