GORDON Brown today pledged £8.5bn to help educate the world's poorest children.
He was promising the cash as he joined forces with Nelson Mandela in Mozambique to launch a drive to get every child a school place by 2015.
The money will be paid over 10 years and will go towards a global target of $100bn (£55.6bn) to get 100m children in schools.
The Chancellor and the former South African president were challenging world leaders to honour that pledge.
The move will be seen as Mr Brown's latest attempt to boost his international profile and establish himself as a prime minister-in-waiting.
Mr Brown said last week that the drive should "become a global cause around which the world can unite".
He added: "It will affirm our dignity as human beings.
"No matter your birth or background, every child in every part of the world should have the chance to realise their potential."
