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At the start of the year we launched Faith and a Future, a campaign to ensure no child is denied a fair education because of their faith. In February we launched our report on this issue at Parliament, and were delighted to see so many people pledge their support to the campaign.

Every day this week, you’ll see how children in many countries around the world can experience religious discrimination in education. As you read these facts, please pray for all those children affected.

Reduced resources: In more remote areas of central and northern Nigeria, state governments often neglect the needs of children from religious minority communities, leaving them with woefully inadequate teaching and resources.

Pressure to convert: Children are promised free schooling, friendship, help with studies and better grades if they convert. Gurinder* was forced to leave school in 8th grade (aged 15) with no qualifications. “I couldn’t cope with the pressure my classmates and teachers put on me to…convert.”

Disinformation: School textbooks in Pakistan are littered with discriminatory ideas and hate speech, teaching that religious minorities are inferior and don’t belong. This discrimination teaches intolerance and fuels religious hatred.

Mistreatment: Stephanie was targeted by Cuban authorities during her time at school, all because her father was a pastor. Children of religious leaders are often targeted to put pressure on their parents.

Segregation: Jacob*, a Christian in Pakistan, was told, “You’re not supposed to drink from the same cup as us. You’re not supposed to sit at the same desk as us. I got mentally disturbed…But then I thought ‘No, I must raise my voice for my nation and for myself.’”

Partiality: Children are marked down because of their faith. Joseph*, an 11-year-old Christian, reported that his teacher said, “If you were a Muslim I’d happily help you with your course and syllabus, homework and assignment.”

Lost identity: Students are forced to dress differently or change their names to hide their backgrounds. In several Shari’a states in Nigeria, Christian parents say their children have had to adopt Muslim-sounding names – and even adopt Muslim practices at school – in order to receive state education.

*Name changed for security reasons.