The ‘invisible’ children: inequalities in education in the Commonwealth

Most governments have concentrated on ensuring all children are able to access primary education, in conformity with their Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) obligations to achieve universal primary enrolment (UPE) by 2015, the complementary Education for All (EFA) goals, as well as their human rights obligations. Commonwealth experiences in achieving UPE are mixed, with very few governments reporting to have achieved universal enrolment. One of the reasons why UPE has not materialised is the absence of investment in equitable education systems; many systems continue to leave children without their right to education.