Let Girls Learn!

For the past four years this blog has been a forum for current issues in American public education. We have looked a federal education laws, curriculum development, changes in technology, teacher professional development and social issue in education. There is one issue, of a more global nature, that we have not discussed, until now. Recent statistics indicate that are over 62 million girls, worldwide who are presently being denied the right to an education merely because they are female. “ When girls aren’t given the chance to realize their potential, the whole world loses out.”  In 2012, the World Bank reckoned that Kenya’s illiterate girls, if educated, could boost that country’s economy by $27 billion in the course of a lifetime. (From a Washington Post article I March 2013)

 Now in an effort supported by First Lady Michelle Obama and the Peace Corp, a new initiative called Let Girls Learn is being promoted in places like Columbia, Rwanda, and elsewhere, to give young women the opportunity to receive an education and achieve their aspirations.

Let Girls Learn strives to expand access to education for adolescent girls around the world. The program is based on three pillars:

1 Empowering Leaders

   Working Hand in Hand with Communities

   Increase impact of the Peace Corps volunteers

Public attention was drawn to this issue with the 2013 publication of the book “ I am Malala,” written by a then 15 year old Milala Yousafzai who was shot by the Taliban for standing up for her rights to receive an education. Now with the endorsement of both President Obama and the First Lady, this issue is receiving more attention here in the United States.

For more information about this project or find our how you can participate check out these web sites. www.letgirlslearn.peacecorps.gov or www.62milliongirls.com.

C.2015 J. Margolis