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NPR News: 07-15-2026 1AM EDT

Explore episode Jul 15, 2026
Education
273 Million Children Out of School — 7th Year Rising

NPR News: 07-15-2026 1AM EDT · Jul 15, 2026 Education

The number of out-of-school children in 113 low- and middle-income countries hit 273 million in 2024 — the seventh consecutive year of increase. Countries like Afghanistan, Mali, and Niger lost over 40% of education aid in three years, while Cote d'Ivoire showed free compulsory schooling can reverse the trend.

Where this was said

El Salvador Eliminates Trachoma

At 3:29 · chapter starts 3:20

In a short but meaningful public health dispatch, the World Health Organization has declared El Salvador free of trachoma as a public health threat. Trachoma — a bacterial eye infection — holds the grim distinction of being the world's leading infectious cause of blindness, making El Salvador's achievement a significant step forward for global health equity. NPR notes the report was filed by Vat Matanis, with further education reporting to follow.

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