The Dakar Framework for Action calls on the world community to find appropriate strategies for educating underserved groups and those children, particularly girls, who live under difficult circumstances. To achieve this EFA goal, one approach that countries might consider is the use of boarding schools. This policy brief documents how boarding schools have been used in a wide range of countries from different regions of the world in order to ensure access to education for children, especially girls, who might otherwise be deprived of it. The brief discusses both the advantages and disadvantages of this educational strategy. Finally, it provides useful hints for maximizing the effectiveness of the boarding school approach. Authors: Frances Cosstick and Min B. Bista Contact: gender