Is the global education sector heading toward fragmentation?

LONDON — The global education sector, long neglected according to some experts, could be set for transformation with the emergence of a string of new funds and financing instruments launching this year. But while the funds have the potential to channel much-needed money into learning, some development experts are asking whether their sudden proliferation risks fragmenting the sector, or duplicating efforts.

The needs are huge: According to UNESCO, 264 million children are out of school, and the United Nations estimates that a further 600 million are in school but learning little. At the same time, the share of official development assistance spent on education declined by about a quarter…