Ireland has received a C grade in a new "school report" on donor aid for basic education for all people globally.
Three years ago, leaders from 22 rich donor countries, including Ireland, promised in Dakar, Senegal, to provide the aid needed for every child to get a basic education.
This school report, The Must Try Harder School Report 2003by the Global Education Campaign (GEC), which is being released in all participating countries today, is the first analysis of how well these leaders have done in giving aid for education. Overall, Ireland does well, coming 4th out of 22 rich countries.
The GEC estimates that 100 million children around the world get no access to education and another 150 million will not complete their primary education.
Spokesman for the Irish Coalition for the Global Campaign for Education Mr David Joyce said today: "We congratulate DCI (Development Co-operation Ireland Programme) on their strong performance and hope they can now improve it by putting their weight behind the Global Fast Track Initiative, especially in those countries in sub-Saharan Africa with whom we have a bilateral aid relationship".
"Without this, millions of children will be unable to go to school," added Mr Joyce
Around $1.4 billion is spent annually by rich countries on aid to basic education, but an additional $5.6 billion is needed to ensure all children can go to primary school.
While Ireland came 4th, with a C grade, The Netherlands came in first with an A grade but New Zealand finished last with an F. The world's richest country, the United States, came 20th with an E grade, while Britain finished 13th with a D grade.
The report is published ahead of an international donor country meeting in Oslo, Norway, between November 20th and 21st.