Being a part of the biggest lesson in the world

Gary Morgan

01 May 2008

PUPILS from Inkberrow made their pitch for Guinness Book of Records Fame last week when they took part in the World's Biggest Lesson.
It was staged at the village's First School in Main Road last Wednesday (April 23) as pupils joined 7.5 million contemporaries from schools across the world being taught the same lesson in two time zones - breaking the current world record.
The event was designed to remind world leaders of the estimated 72 million children who miss out on an education, and Joan Humphrys, teacher at Inkberrow, said the school was delighted to play its part.
"Education is a basic human right," she said.
"At our school the pupils can't believe how many children are denied this right."
The lesson was organised by pressure group the Global Campaign for Education (GCE).
Their international co-ordinator, Owain James, said he hoped the record-breaking day would help put the issue firmly on the agenda.
He said: "Possibly one of the greatest injustices of all is that where we live and who we are makes all the difference to whether we get a quality education.
"57 per cent of children out of school are girls, 33 per cent have a disability and 50 per cent live in war zones."
The campaign is being backed by high street charity Oxfam which is urging rich countries, the World Bank and the IMF (International Monetary Fund) to work with poorer countries to help provide children with the learning they crave.
Will Tucker, Oxfam campaigner for the Midlands, said: "We believe every every child has the right to a free publicly provided primary education.
"Sadly every day millions of children are not in school and we demand an end to this scandal and call on the international community to provide more and better aid for two million more well-trained and well-paid teachers.
"This will enable governments in poorer countries to provide a quality education for all."
For more information on the work of the GCE visit www.campaignforeducation.org.

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