TWO students from a Swindon school are at the forefront of a national campaign fighting for the millions of youngsters across the globe who are missing out on a proper education.
Evie Dixon and Stella George, who attend Commonweal School, visited parliament and 10 Downing Street last week as representatives of the Send My Friend to School youth initiative, which calls on the government to provide access to education for everyone.
The pair were chosen as Campaign Champions following a national selection process.
Alongside 18 others, they took the message to government through a Parliament Action Day, lobbying local MPs Robert Buckland and Justin Tomlinson.
After delivering their message, the girls were elated with their work.
Stella said: “It is a real honour to represent thousands of young people from across the UK who took part in this campaign and speak up for the millions of children around the world who are missing out on getting an education.
Evie added: “My favourite part was when we went to 10 Downing Street and handed in a petition and photobook showing all the campaigning activity from around the country.”
Lottie O’Brien, a teacher at Commonweal, said: “It has been a brilliant opportunity to learn about how change happens and the democratic process.
“I am really proud of Stella and Evie for speaking to so many politicians so clearly and passionately.
“I think that this is such an important campaign to show all young people how important and powerful their voices are.”
READ: Calls for the next PM to ensure funding for SchoolsA total of 262 million children around the world remain out of school. In order to address this, 1,000 schools and thousands of young peopleacross the country, including Stella and Evie, are taking part in Send My Friend to School.
The campaign manager, Hannah Nixon, said: “Education is a basic human right for all children but despite this, 262 million receive no education and many more are in school but not learning.
“So I am delighted Evie and Stella at Commonweal are engaging with Mr Buckland to demand the UK invests in the future of the world.”
World leaders have previously made promises to ensure that every child receives quality education by 2030. But many are unable to simply because of who they are and where they live.
All schools are invited to get involved at www.sendmyfriend.org, where they can access a free teaching pack.
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