1 in 3 boys don't believe girls have the same right to education, new survey finds

Study finds just 44 per cent of respondents believe refugees deserve right to education

A significant portion of young people living in the UK believe education is a human right unless you are a girl or refugee, a new survey has found.

According to the survey, 89 per cent of respondents aged 14-30 believe that education is a basic human right. However, just 44 per cent strongly agreed that refugees deserve this right.

Additionally, just 62 per cent of boys aged 16 to 18 said they strongly believe that girls and boys have an equal right to education.

The survey found that young women felt differently - with 90 per cent of girls aged 16 to 18 strongly believing that they have an equal right to education, and 62 per cent of girls believing refugees should be afforded the same right.

The existence of a prejudice against women and refugees in the UK was found through a survey conducted by children’s charity Theirworld, which aims to ensure every child has the best start in life and a safe place to learn.

According to the charity, the results raise concerns about the likelihood that the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which hope to achieve “inclusive and equitable equality for all,” will be fulfilled in this decade. Rather, if current trends continue, it is believed that by 2030 more than half of the world’s children will lack the basic skills needed for them to maximise their potential.

“Education is the key which unlocks so many types of change - on climate, health, science and prosperity. We mustn’t lose sight of that,” Jamira Burley, youth engagement and skills lead at Theirworld said. “Britain is not the only place where such attitudes have hardened. But we believe very firmly that every sort of society will only be successful and become the best version of itself when a quality education is made available to all.”

Sarah Brown, chair of Theirworld, called the level of discrimination “shocking”.

“With just 10 years left to achieve the SDGs, it is shocking that we are facing this level of discrimination particularly from young people and with such a stark divide across genders,” she said. “To build a future with real equality, inclusion and opportunity for everyone, we need the support and action of the next generation. Without it, we are fighting a losing battle.

“Educating girls and refugees should not be seen as an us and them situation. It is beneficial to everyone. Also, their high achievements at school pave the way for prosperity and change for all.”