This paper argues that efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on school enrolments through changes to education policy and increased funding are unrealistic and misguided. The paper predicts that, as with previous efforts to reach development goals, the international aid community will attribute the failure to achieve the education MDGs to the broken promises of donors. In conclusion, the paper recommends the creation of historically-grounded, country-specific education goals, and recognition of the broader economic and political environments which influence decisions regarding education.