World's biggest lesson attempt

At Rainham School for Girls, a Year 7 form has taken part in what will hopefully be the world's biggest lesson.

Millions of people in over 100 countries took part including children, teachers, parents and charity campaigners.

Students discussed the lesson on the BBC's World News for Children bulletin, on the World Class website

World Class website

It all took place on the same day which was 23 April 2008, at the same time all across the world, in countries including the United States of America, Sierra Leone, Denmark, Great Britain, Malawi and Brazil.

The lesson had to last for at least 30 minutes. In this time students learnt that 72 million children around the world are not educated. A third of these are disabled and do not have the facilities they need at their local school, which prevents them from joining.

One reason why 57% of girls are excluded from having an education is that many parents think that their daughters should not go to school but stay at home and help around the house. The money which is not used for school fees is used to pay for their daughter's marriage.

Half the children who don't go to school are in war zones and some of their schools may have been bombed or knocked down.

The lesson, organised by the Global Campaign for Education, took place to try and beat the Guinness world record.

Students at Rainham School for Girls had strong ideas on what they thought should be done to prevent children from missing out on an education.

Aramide thought that they should provide free buses to and from schools instead of children having to walk miles.

Sally thought that she was extremely lucky to have a great school and to be educated.

"The lesson got through to a lot of people and they started to think that they were very lucky for the education they were given"
Lucy, 11

Over 100 countries worldwide have taken part in what is hoped will be the world's biggest lesson. Children and adults, both female and male, played a part.

It took place on the 23 April 2008 at 0400, 0800 and 1500 GMT in schools, training centres, libraries, churches, community halls and even open spaces.

The reason for the world's biggest lesson attempt was to help people who took part to understand that 72 million children miss out on an education, and to let them know about Global Campaign for Education, who are reminding governments about their promises to get all of the world's children into school by 2015.

Other reasons why children don't go to school include disability, war or conflict, and some mums want their children to stay at home to help.

A group of Year 7 students from Rainham School for Girls in Gillingham, Kent took part in the lesson.

Lucy, aged 11, said: “It was good because it got through to a lot of people and they started to think that they were very lucky for the education they were given. A lot of people around the world don't have that chance.”

Stacey, aged 12, said: “Instead of giving half our tax money to the rich people, maybe it should go to the poor so they would have a better chance.”

Aliyah, aged 12, said: “For people who live far from their school, I think they should raise enough money for transfers to and from the school so that walking wouldn't be such a problem.”

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Global Campaign for Education
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