Archive for category: Education

Information and stories on education.

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Accessible Education for Disabled Children in Botswana

Disabled Children in BotswanaMost people know Botswana as an extension of South Africa with its lush grasslands and exotic animals. It is classified as an upper-middle class country with high reliance on the diamond mining industry. While Botswana’s wealth has increased, the distribution of it has not been exactly fair and disabled children in Botswana suffer its consequences the most. Some of these consequences are difficulty accessing education. Although great steps have moved this country forward, poverty still exists and systematic change is necessary.

Disability and Poverty in Botswana

It has been reported that an estimated 15% of African children account for the majority of disabled peoples around the world. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) states that approximately 4.5% of Botswana’s population live with a disability and identifies the multidimensional poverty index at 20.84%.

Medical researchers, Jill Hanass-Hancock and Bradley Carpenter find that the current disabilities prevalent in Botswana are mental and sexually transmitted disorders ranging from around 13.7% as well as musculoskeletal, neurological and sense organ diseases that range 6-10%. Further, the UNDP underlines that extensive research has proven the great challenges that the disabled community faces socio-economically due to the increased poverty and lack of access to education, transportation and facilities.

Researchers Ermien van Pletzen, Bryson Kabaso and Theresa Lorenzo that “to alleviate poverty [it is important to increase] the levels of social, educational, economic and political inclusion of people with disabilities” as well as educate and advocate for the basic human rights of these rural families.

Authors Khaufelo Raymond Lekobane and Thabile Anita Samboma have stressed that a child-centered approach to the Botswana poverty crisis is the best response to solving these critical issues. An example is the The Leave No One Behind (LNOB) principle of the 2030 Agenda.

Justice for the Disabled

According to findings from UNICEF, few disabled children in Botswana are enrolled in school, with barriers including poor infrastructure and no teacher training in special education. Another strong issue regarding improvised areas versus developed areas is the large gap of disabled student (only 2%) accessibility to higher education. Initiatives to close the educational gap with disabled Botswanans have included inclusion education policy-making, increasing special education needs for marginalized groups who experience anything from behavioral issues and unfortunate circumstances or language barriers. In 2015, the government passed a new National Policy on Gender and Development improving education equality with more resources and training while protecting women from any form of prejudice. 

Policy and Action

One can trace the first policy of equal opportunity education back to 1977 with the Education for Kgahisano policy. This policy aims “to ensure that all citizens of Botswana including those with special needs have equality of educational opportunities…to prepare children with special educational needs for social integration by integrating them as far as possible with their peers in ordinary schools…to ensure a comprehensive assessment that is based on the child’s learning needs, and not on group norms, and which is followed by individualized instruction.” This policy was a huge stride for inclusivity within the disabled community.

Botswana children deserve to have all their needs met and their education customized to their learning modes. The personalization of learning is key for all children. All teaching methods should incorporate and consider diverse modes of learning. This policy enacted the assurance of equal opportunity education and assessment for all disabled and impoverished children.

Structural Improvements

The physical and sanitary needs of disabled people in Botswana, which include “blindness and inability to use legs account for the greater bulk of disability,” should inspire more access to clean water and bathrooms, ramps and easy access to facilities. In response, the Building Control Regulations implemented infrastructure improvements such as wheelchair accessible ramps, high-visibility strips and picture signage. When students can better adapt to their environment, the learning process becomes enormously easier.

Quality Education

The government’s Vision 2036: Achieving Prosperity For All plan addresses that fundamental resources for human development are essential, further stating, “education and skills are fundamental to human resource development.” Although this statement means well, only around 43% of children between the ages of 4 and 5 attend accessible learning programs with the budgets lending more to tertiary education programs. Even with 98% enrollment, primary school children are failing at a high rate of 33%. Out of this number, children with disabilities encounter structural barriers, rural concerns and no specialized teacher training leading to lower enrollment in primary and secondary schools. Looking at higher education, around 2% of students are disabled, magnifying the alarming lack of concern around disabled aid.

Functional policies are essential to provide full-access to early childhood development, more teacher support, enhanced learning environments and monitoring. Luckily, the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education and UNICEF have partnered to push these efforts forward. In another vein, UNICEF’s Child-Friendly Schools Initiative and Botswana have made it a priority to place more formative methods of education, rather than summative.

The Botswana Ministry of Education and Skills Development acquired the IEP (2011), placing “an inclusive education system which provides children [and] young people …with access to relevant and high quality education which enables them to learn effectively, whatever their … life circumstances, health, disability, stage of development, capacity to learn or socio-economic circumstances.”

The Results

In early 2025, the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education in Botswana produced a Temporary Teacher solution, allocating budgets to temporarily relieve the staff shortage. Yet, with recent staff protests, it appears that the hopes for better pay and working conditions continue to be a cause worth fighting for.

Socioeconomics will always have a connection to the quality of education the children of Botswana receive. Indeed, Vision 2036 has noted education’s importance in the country’s future wealth and positive efforts have occurred. 

– Melody Aminian

Melody is based in Irvine, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Programs Helping to Reduce Child Poverty in Guatemala

Programs Helping the Impoverished Children of Guatemala Guatemala faces extreme educational difficulties, which heavily impact the future of its youth and contribute to ongoing poverty issues. The problem stems from a lack of access to resources such as books and computers, while many teachers lack proper training. Rural and indigenous communities face the most significant challenges. Only four out of every 10 children in Guatemala advance to middle school and only two of those 10 graduate from high school. This lack of quality education makes it difficult for children to escape poverty in Guatemala. Without education or relevant skills, they struggle to secure higher-paying jobs. However, several programs aim to address this issue by providing materials and improving education, offering a better future for these affected communities.

The Rotary Pathways Guatemala Literacy Project

The Rotary Pathways Guatemala Literacy Project (GLP), established in 1997, has worked to reach underprivileged communities and students through sustainable programs. This project has brought education to 295,000 children and emphasizes four complementary programs: Spark, Textbooks, Technology and Rise Youth Development. Furthermore, these programs help impoverished children in Guatemala by promoting literacy and developing technological skills.

  • Spark Program. The Spark Program aims to train teachers specifically in children’s literature and reading-focused lessons to help raise the literacy rates, which at the moment are almost 85% for most of Guatemala but reaching only about 33% for rural and indigenous communities. Through the Spark Program, 49% of first-graders scored better than the national average.
  • Textbook Program. The Textbook Program provides students with textbooks in various subjects and trains teachers to incorporate these materials into their lessons effectively. In rural Guatemala, 90% of schools lack access to textbooks. The Textbook Program helps lower this percentage by providing affordable textbooks for students and improving access to quality educational materials.
  • Technology Program. The Technology Program provides students access to computers, which enhances their technological literacy. Furthermore, this approach helps teach them necessary tech skills that are beneficial for future jobs. In Guatemala, 60% of entry-level jobs require tech skills. The program closes the digital divide and reduces unemployment by equipping students with the tools necessary to succeed.
  • Rise Youth Development Program. The Rise Youth Development Program provides scholarships to students in need, especially Mayan children in rural communities. The program alleviates economic stress on families by covering school costs, allowing students to focus on their education. It also offers peer mentoring, home visits to engage families and academic and social support. Since its inception, the Rise Youth Development Program has increased high school graduation rates for impoverished children from 10% to 80%.

The GLP’s Impact on Children’s Lives

The GLP has extended hope through the power of education and has continuously shown the benefits of technological literacy through the success of its students. As of 2025, the project plans to help another 6,200 children between January and October. Through its various programs, the GLP has helped hundreds of thousands of children obtain quality education and improve their chances of securing better jobs, ultimately breaking the cycle of poverty.

Looking Ahead

The Guatemala Literacy Project has made significant progress in addressing educational inequalities and poverty in Guatemala. By enhancing literacy, expanding access to learning materials, bridging the digital divide and supporting vulnerable students through scholarships, these programs offer a comprehensive solution to poverty. Continued support and expansion of these initiatives could sustain these achievements, empowering even more children to escape poverty and secure brighter futures.

– Cheyenne Weller

Cheyenne is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Women’s Education and the Work of JAAGO in Bangladesh

JAAGO in BangladeshAccelerating Action is this year’s International Women’s Day theme, calling for urgent efforts to advance gender equality matters. The 2024 Global Gender Gap report shows that although significant progress has been made and several economies reached higher gender parity scores this year, others are far from ideal results.

Southern Asia ranks last in Economic Participation and Opportunity and shows low rates of women employed in the workforce, with Bangladesh declining by -3.3 points in the global ranking. Bangladesh (31.1%), Sudan (33.7%), Iran (34.3%), Pakistan (36%), India (39.8%) and Morocco (40.6%) are the economies with the lowest economic parity.

Gender parity in projected earned income is less than 30% in these economies. Furthermore, all the economies on the list have labor force participation rates below 50%.

Education as a Pathway to Economic Freedom

Global studies have long shown that education is one of the most effective ways to combat poverty and reach gender equality. According to the World Bank gender data, women with secondary education earn nearly 20% more than those without and those with tertiary education earn up to 323.4% more. Educated women are also less likely to marry before 18, reducing risks associated with early pregnancy and improving overall family health.

Bangladesh excels in educational attainment, with a 94% achievement rate that reflects gender parity in secondary enrolment, 93% in literacy and 84.1% in university enrolment. Generally, Southern Asia has also made the most remarkable progress since 2006, improving educational gender parity by +13.4 percentage points – more than twice the leap made by the Middle East, Northern Africa and sub-Saharan Africa regions during the same period.

The World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Gender Gap Report also notes that 91.3% of girls and 74.8% of boys have completed lower secondary school in Bangladesh as of 2022. Hence, the female literacy rate rose to 84% in 2023.

The Work of JAAGO in Bangladesh

JAAGO is a leading foundation in Bangladesh dedicated to promoting gender equality and ensuring women have continued access to education. Its journey began in 2007 in a single room with only 17 children in the Rayer Bazar Slum of Dhaka. It aims to break the poverty cycle and ensure a bright future for children from underprivileged communities. JAAGO currently has 11 schools in 10 districts in Bangladesh, educating 5,000 children.

Through various programs, JAAGO has successfully implemented solutions to keep girls in school while fostering skill development. In many rural areas, schools are either too expensive or poor quality. To address this, JAAGO schools offer free education with highly qualified teachers. It provides online programs through the digital school initiative, ensuring access to quality education for all.

The Digital School Program of JAAGO in Bangladesh

JAAGO Foundation’s Digital School Program provides quality education to underprivileged children in remote areas of Bangladesh using online learning. It bridges educational gaps by offering interactive lessons, trained teachers and digital resources. The program focuses on accessibility, inclusivity and skill development, ensuring children receive a standardized education regardless of location. This initiative empowers students with knowledge and opportunities for a brighter future.

The program also focuses on delivering quality education and opportunities at every step, including counseling parents to encourage them to keep their daughters in school. Additionally, the programs provide medical and mental health sessions to ensure girls can continue their education without barriers.

ODOMMO

The ODOMMO project, launched by the JAAGO Foundation with the Malala Fund, promotes girls’ education in Bangladesh by tackling poverty, gender discrimination and societal barriers. It focuses on improving school enrollment, retention and learning environments. The initiative further includes teacher training, life-skills programs and school expansions, empowering girls to become future leaders and advocates for change.

The ODOMMO project has positively impacted 1,584 girls in Bangladesh’s flood-prone areas by reducing school dropout rates, increasing awareness about child marriage and encouraging greater participation in STEM. Additionally, the project conducted community-driven awareness initiatives, including courtyard meetings and discussions with school authorities, government officials and local leaders to advocate for girls’ education in the region.

Bandarban School Bus

Many impoverished families in Bangladesh struggle to afford schooling and recurrent flooding worsens job losses, making education even less accessible. In many cases, girls are sent to work or married off instead of continuing their studies, as families believe marriage offers them a more secure future.

Geographical challenges further limit access to education, especially in rural areas, where long and unsafe commutes discourage attendance. Without secure transportation or infrastructure, many girls cannot reach school safely.

The JAAGO Foundation launched the School Bus Initiative to tackle this issue, providing students with reliable transportation. This simple yet impactful solution has significantly increased attendance, ensuring more children, especially girls, stay in school. By removing safety concerns and commuting barriers, the initiative has helped reduce dropout rates, allowing students to focus on their education.

Volunteering and a Call to Action

Ensuring access to education requires a collective effort; governments, parents, corporations and communities all drive meaningful change. Raising awareness through social media campaigns, expert advocacy and corporate engagement can further mobilize resources and support.

Individuals and businesses can contribute by sponsoring a child’s education, covering school fees, meals, supplies, health check-ups and mentorship. Sponsors also receive monthly reports and can connect with the school or child via online calls or in-person visits.

Beyond financial support, volunteers play a key role in driving local change. During recent floods in Bangladesh, volunteers stepped up by raising funds, rescuing people, setting up medical camps and rebuilding homes, demonstrating how collective action can make a lasting impact.

– Arianna Distefano

Arianna Distefano is based in London and focuses on Good News, Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Educational Disparities Among Ethnic Minority Groups in Vietnam

Ethnic Minority Groups in VietnamOver the past 20 years, Vietnam has prioritized education, with economic growth boosting funding from the government, international donors and parental tuition payments. These efforts are paying off, with the nation having a more than 95% literacy rate. However, education disparities still exist, especially among ethnic minority groups living in Vietnam.

Childhood Education Disparities

In Vietnam, primary schooling, covering grades one through five, is government-mandated. Secondary education consists of two levels: lower secondary (grades six through nine) and upper secondary (grades 10–12), neither of which is mandatory. In 2022, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and its partners reported that nearly 98% of children in Vietnam completed primary education.

However, completion rates dropped to 87% at the secondary level, with ethnic minority groups having the lowest rates (between 55%-60%). Although ethnic minorities only make up approximately 15% of Vietnam’s population, they represent the largest group of people with the lowest education, largely due to socioeconomic barriers.

Limited School Infrastructure and Language Barriers

About 86% of ethnic minorities in Vietnam live in rural and mountainous areas, where limited school infrastructure poses a significant challenge. Hazardous terrain and a lack of transportation further hinder access to education. As a result, 91% of urban children attend lower secondary school, compared to 85% in rural areas.

Vietnam is home to more than 50 ethnic minority groups, each with its own language. Many ethnic minority children struggle in lower secondary school because educational materials, including textbooks, are written in Vietnamese, a language they may not understand. As a result, more than three million ethnic minorities in Vietnam could not read or write in 2023.

Positive Changes to Address Education Disparities

Vietnam’s Politburo has announced a policy to waive tuition fees for all students from preschool to high school in the public school system nationwide, effective from the 2025-2026 academic year, starting in September 2025. This initiative aims to expand access to education and reduce financial burdens on families. Under this policy, private and nonpublic school students will receive tuition subsidies equivalent to those in public schools, with families covering any difference in fees. This move reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to education and is expected to enhance the quality of education nationwide significantly.

Furthermore, Vietnam has collaborated with international organizations like the United Nations (U.N.) to enhance educational infrastructure and accessibility, particularly in mountainous and rural areas. The U.N. and other nonprofit organizations in Vietnam work closely with national partners to improve access to inclusive education. This collaboration leverages global partnerships, including the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), to support national initiatives to transform the education sector.

To address language barriers faced by ethnic minority children, a significant initiative was launched in March 2024. The Nippon Foundation and GPE announced a joint contribution of $5.2 million to support education for children from ethnic minorities across Vietnam. This program, implemented by Save the Children in collaboration with Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training, aims to provide high-quality, inclusive education by developing bilingual educational materials and training teachers to deliver instruction in native languages and Vietnamese.

These collaborative efforts underscore Vietnam’s commitment to providing equitable educational opportunities and addressing the unique challenges faced by ethnic minority children in accessing quality education.

– Kelly Chalupnik

Kelly is based in Kirkland, WA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Little Lions: Reducing Poverty Through Education in Kibera

Little Lions: Reducing Poverty Through Education in KiberaKibera, one of the world’s largest slums, is home to more than 230,000 men, women and children on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya. Many households survive on less than $2 a day, struggling with a lack of infrastructure, waste management, plumbing and water access. The high cost of refrigeration prevents residents from safely storing food, contributing to malnutrition and health risks. Waste accumulates in the streets and waterways, placing additional strain on the community.

The Barriers to Education in Kibera

Extreme poverty limits access to education, leaving 60% of children without formal schooling. The few available classrooms are overcrowded, with student-teacher ratios reaching 100-to-1 due to insufficient infrastructure, staff and resources. Without intervention, many children miss out on opportunities to build a better future.

Providing a Safe and Nurturing Environment

Little Lions opened its first school on the outskirts of Kibera in 2019. Through generous contributions, the team created a safe learning space for 167 students and counting. The school provides more than just education—students participate in art classes, dance competitions and soccer tournaments, building confidence and teamwork. Technology is another crucial element of the curriculum. Donated computers and online tutoring tools help students develop digital literacy, an essential skill for future opportunities. Before focusing on academics, however, the school prioritizes basic needs. Children receive two hot meals daily, sometimes the only food they will have, as well as plumbed bathrooms with running water—a rare necessity in Kibera.

Little Lions: Breaking Barriers Through Education

Little Lions is working to change this reality by providing structured, high-quality education in Kibera. The program ensures that young residents gain knowledge, skills and resources to build prosperous futures. The initiative focuses on nutrition, modern learning methods, personalized care and emotional support to address the deeper challenges of poverty.

Tuju Otieno, Little Lions Project Director, leads a team of educators who understand the hardships of growing up in informal settlements. Many teachers and staff were once orphaned or raised in slums, giving them a deep connection to the students. Little Lions offers a holistic approach to learning, combining the British and Kenyan curriculums while integrating counseling, music and art therapy to help children process the realities of their environment.

Beyond the Classroom: Supporting the Community

Little Lions’ impact extends beyond the students. The school employs about 20 staff members, including kitchen workers, teachers and sanitation crews, reducing high unemployment rates in the area. Through a partnership with Penda Health, the school provides health screenings for students and their families, ensuring their overall well-being. Parents are also included in the initiative through financial literacy, entrepreneurship and positive parenting workshops. Strengthening families allows students to thrive both at school and at home, reinforcing their ability to succeed.

A Ripple Effect in Kibera

Since its launch, Little Lions has transformed the lives of many Kiberans. Students have gained confidence, curiosity and academic skills and many have gone on to pursue secondary education. As education access expands, economic opportunities increase, helping to break the cycle of poverty in the community. By investing in education, holistic care and community development, Little Lions aims to prove that sustainable change is possible, even in the most challenging environments.

– Sarah Lang

Sarah is based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Education in Afghanistan: Barriers and Economic Impact

Education Access in Afghanistan: Barriers and Economic ImpactAfghanistan continues to struggle with the challenges of rebuilding after decades of conflict and political instability. From the Soviet invasion of the 1980s to civil war, famine and 20 years of United States (U.S.) occupation, the Taliban now governs a nation in crisis following the withdrawal of American forces and the overthrow of the Afghan government in 2021.

Poverty is widespread and natural disasters have compounded economic hardships. Afghanistan’s GDP declined by 24.3% between 2021 and 2022, leaving millions in financial distress. An estimated 96% of Afghan households fell below the poverty line in 2020 and farmers faced one of the worst droughts in recent history. In October 2023, several 6.3-magnitude earthquakes struck Herat province, further devastating livelihoods and worsening economic conditions.

Women’s Education Under Taliban Rule

Since regaining power, the Taliban has imposed strict regulations on women’s education, barring them from attending school past the sixth grade. These restrictions have affected an estimated 1.4 million girls, cutting off their access to formal learning. Women also face limitations on movement and employment, restricting opportunities for financial independence.

The Economic Impact of Education Restrictions

The exclusion of women from education has long-term economic consequences. Before 2021, women made up 22% of Afghanistan’s workforce, working in sectors such as health care, education and business. Restricting women from pursuing education reduces economic productivity and slows national recovery. Foreign aid previously accounted for 40% of the country’s GDP and with limited external support and half of the workforce excluded, the country’s economic outlook continues to decline.

Foreign Aid and Education Funding in Afghanistan

During the war, Afghanistan’s education system was a global priority. Between 2001 and 2024, the U.S. invested $1.4 billion in Afghan education, helping to establish schools and train teachers. However, since 2021, foreign aid has significantly declined, leaving many schools underfunded and understaffed. The country’s literacy rate remains one of the lowest in the world, at 34% overall and only 18% among women.

Efforts to Sustain Education Access in Afghanistan

Despite these ongoing challenges, organizations such as the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) continue to provide education for women and children in Afghanistan. AIL operates 44 learning centers across 11 provinces and has helped 500,830 students while training nearly 30,000 teachers over the past 25 years. These programs aim to equip students with literacy skills and critical thinking tools, offering hope for the country’s next generation. Community-based education initiatives have also emerged, allowing some girls to study in private homes or local centers. However, these informal programs do not offer official certification, which limits long-term opportunities for employment and higher education.

Looking Ahead

In Afghanistan, education could promote long-term stability and recovery. Ensuring access to learning opportunities for all Afghans—especially women—remains critical. Until broader reforms are implemented, organizations like AIL continue to bridge the gap by providing educational opportunities to those who need them most. The country’s future potentially depends on creating an inclusive education system that empowers all citizens to contribute to the country’s recovery and economic growth.

– Burke Bunyard

Burke is based in Austin, TX, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Spotlight: The Peace Center

The Peace CenterThe Peace Center is a Ugandan-based organization that aims to provide shelter, education and safety for some of the country’s neediest and most vulnerable orphaned children. Since its inception in 2015, The Peace Center has helped dozens of children by providing them with a safe home, an education and, above all, a family.

Empowering Bukinda’s Children Through Education

The Peace Center is situated in Bukinda, a town in southwest Uganda, where limited access to education is one of the most pressing challenges residents face. Without proper schooling, many children struggle to escape the cycle of poverty that has affected their families for generations.

According to the CIA World Factbook, the actual fertility rate in the country at large is more than twice the desired rate, suggesting unmet contraceptive needs. This, in turn, contributes to ongoing poverty and educational barriers. The Peace Center’s core mission is to educate children in need, helping break this cycle.

The PEACE Program

To accommodate the children’s varying needs in its program, the organization has implemented two distinct programs. The PEACE (Providing Education and Community Empowerment) program focuses on orphaned children who may have relatives to live with but do not have the resources to provide for the children’s schooling.

The PEACE program provides these children with school attendance fees and a uniform to help them gain an education. In return, these children must maintain a minimum attendance record and grade score each semester.

1-To-1 Sponsorship

For children without immediate family who require full-time support and care, The Peace Center offers a 1-to-1 sponsorship program. The nonprofit provides children in this program with “housing, schooling, three meals a day, school uniform as well as basic health and sanitary care.”

Through this program, the organization encourages families in other countries to provide both financial and emotional support to the child. This sponsorship fosters a connection between the child and the sponsor’s family through letters, photos and other forms of correspondence.

Impact

In the past 10 years, The Peace Center has worked tirelessly to provide the neediest children in Uganda with stability, safety and a place to call home. Indeed, several current and former program students have provided testimonies, expressing their gratitude to the organization.

Some children have attributed their college success to The Peace Center, sharing how the organization helped them with leadership, communication and other essential life skills. Furthermore, The Peace Center provides these children with a lifelong sense of belonging, with many students saying they have kept in touch with the staff and other students years after leaving the program.

Summary

Since its founding, The Peace Center has offered holistic care to those in greatest need, supporting orphaned children in Uganda with nowhere else to turn. It has two programs oriented toward empowering children to break generational cycles of poverty and gaining education and emotional support throughout their lives.

The Peace Center is always looking for more opportunities to help children in need and is looking toward the future and more chances to provide this much-needed support.

– Lizzie Mazzola

Lizzie is based in Raleigh, NC, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Community Efforts To Break Child Poverty in South Sudan

Child Poverty in South Sudan
Child poverty in South Sudan is prevalent with many facing malnutrition, lacking education and having limited health care access. Sida’s multidimensional poverty analysis (MDPA) reports that one in 10 South Sudanese children starve to death by the time they are five years old and 73% of adults are illiterate.

Despite these harrowing challenges, community-led initiatives are emerging as efforts to break child poverty in South Sudan. From providing essential supplies to advocating for systemic change, these efforts are creating tangible paths toward hope and resilience.

Donate School Supplies

Decades of conflict have had disastrous effects on South Sudan’s educational system. Parents struggle to give their children the critical textbooks, uniforms and writing tools they need, which discourages many students from attending school.

These tools may seem small, but they are essential items to donate to disaster relief efforts aimed at bridging educational gaps. Families relieved of these material burdens can focus on ensuring their children attend classes and thrive academically.

Provide Personal Hygiene Kits

Hygiene-related health issues plague rural South Sudan, further straining children’s ability to stay in school. Many children miss crucial days due to preventable infections as a result of inadequate hygiene or a lack of menstrual supplies.

Simple hygiene kits—including soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste or sanitary items—enhance well-being and could improve school attendance significantly. Hygiene kit drives, organized through schools, workplaces or community groups, can distribute these essential resources to children in need. For example, Pads For Peace is a project organized through Global Giving, which helps to gather funding for sending menstrual hygiene supplies for women in Sudan. 

Support First Aid Donations and Community Training

Surrounded by scarce health care infrastructure, children in South Sudan often rely on bandages and antiseptics for minor injuries due to the lack of clinics and medications. These seemingly small items can prevent infections and save lives when medical care is unavailable.

Beyond supplies, consider petitioning to secure funding for community health volunteer programs in South Sudan. Medical professionals can administer care and share basic medical knowledge. This empowerment strengthens the foundations of health at a local level. For example, Medicial Team International has already completed more than 641,426 medical screenings for people in South Sudan between 2020 and 2024. 

Explore Other Ways To Help

The opportunities to contribute are endless. Hosting fundraising events can support food collection programs or provide critical funding for NGOs on the ground. Meanwhile, sponsoring a child’s education directly guarantees long-lasting change in an individual’s life.

Advocate for Systemic Change

Widespread governmental corruption worsens resource allocation and denies children access to basic needs. Reaching out to policymakers and signing petitions amplifies the urgency for transparency and global funding.

Advocacy efforts pushing for international human rights interventions keep South Sudan’s plight in focus, you can urge world leaders to prioritize child poverty in the region. If a person uses their voice to hold governments accountable, they can help uproot harmful systems that perpetuate inequality. 

Making a Difference

The road to eliminating child poverty in South Sudan may seem insurmountable, but it begins with small, purposeful actions. From donating supplies to advocating for policy change, everyone can play a role in efforts to break child poverty in South Sudan.

– Kelly Schoessling
Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Learning Poverty and Expanding Education in Chad

Education in ChadChad is committed to enhancing primary, secondary and tertiary education. However, 44.8% of its 20 million citizens live in poverty and 94% experience learning poverty. According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, learning poverty—the inability to read age-appropriate text by age 10—contributes to low educational attainment. This widespread issue hinders individual progress, exacerbates the country’s human capital deficits and limits efforts to reduce poverty.

Education System in Chad

Chad’s education system consists of primary education (ages 6–11), lower secondary (ages 12–15), upper secondary (ages 16–18) and tertiary education, which includes trade schools, colleges and vocational schools. However, only about 3% of students complete the full program and just as few have access to tertiary education opportunities.

To address these challenges, Chad is committed to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for primary and secondary students by 2030. With the support of local and international advocates, the country plans to increase government funding for education, improve teacher training, build more schools, prioritize education for girls and foster global partnerships to access additional resources and expertise.

Expanding Education Access in Chad

A standard vocational education program provides training for young adults who have completed formal education. Chad’s education system stands to benefit from such programs, but significant barriers remain. Nearly 49% of primary-aged children are out of school, with gender and socioeconomic status playing a major role in access to education. Additionally, Chad faced a deep educational crisis even before the COVID-19 pandemic and its current high rate of learning poverty requires immediate intervention rather than waiting for students to reach vocational training.

Chad is incorporating non-traditional programs into the education system to address these challenges. With support from various partners, Chad has developed initiatives that provide basic education to children and adults outside the formal system. These programs aim to close skill gaps, offer hands-on learning and accelerate job placement, helping to create more opportunities for those who might otherwise be left behind.

Nonformal Education Centers

The National Education and Civic Promotion program provides nonformal education to support socioeconomic integration across Chad. These centers offer out-of-school youth training in literacy, numeracy and vocational skills in their native languages, equipping them with essential competencies for better opportunities. Remarkably, more than 700 out-of-school children have been “reintegrated into the formal education sector” through nonformal education programs.

Additionally, more than 10,000 out-of-school women have received vocational training, improving their financial stability. Furthermore, more than 42,000 individuals aged 15 and older without formal education have completed literacy programs, underscoring Chad’s commitment to reducing illiteracy and expanding educational opportunities.

This effort aligns with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) initiative, which awarded Chad a $50 million grant from 2018 to 2023 to address the country’s low literacy rates—where 60% of the population could not read. The grant aimed to expand educational access for both youth and adults while promoting social and gender equality. As a result, the Ministry of National Education and Civic Promotion introduced training programs that included nonformal basic education for adolescents aged 9 to 14, further strengthening Chad’s educational framework.

Other Projects Supporting Chad’s Education System

  1. Project Development Objective (PDOs): The PDOs initiative, established in Chad in 2019 by the World Bank and the International Development Association (IDA), further reinforces Chad’s educational efforts. Its mission is to enhance the skills of Chadian children and young adults, equipping them with the knowledge and competencies needed to contribute meaningfully to their communities. The initiative has provided employment support and improved entrepreneurship opportunities for youth, with more than 10,000 young people enrolled in various programs. Additionally, the project has placed 3,000 youth, 44% of whom are girls, in jobs in N’Djamena and 20 other provinces.
  2. The Center of Professional and Technical Training (CFPT): The CFPT is crucial in bridging the gap between education and employment. CFPT aims to expand opportunities for young people by offering professional and technical training. Its initiatives focus on upgrading existing colleges, providing first-work experiences and facilitating apprenticeships and internships—all designed to improve the transition from school to the workforce. The project has trained more than 1,000 students, equipping them with the essential skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the workforce.
  3. Chad Improving Learning Outcomes Project: In 2022, the IDA awarded Chad a $150 million grant to improve learning outcomes in its basic education programs. This initiative aims to provide students equitable access to quality learning environments. It provides learning opportunities to both in-school and out-of-school students by creating expanded learning spaces, addressing overcrowded classrooms and ensuring more inclusive educational opportunities.

Reflecting on Chad’s Educational Mission

The UNESCO Institute for Statistics emphasizes that schooling does not necessarily equate to learning, highlighting the need for improved education quality. According to UNESCO, poor schooling can lead to higher dropout rates, reinforcing the urgency for reform. In response, Chad’s educational programs focus on enhancing teacher instruction and offering basic skill training to address these challenges in nonformal settings. By refining the Chadian education plan, there is hope that the country’s high rate of learning poverty will gradually decline, creating better opportunities for future generations.

– Pamela A. Fenton

Pamela is based in Wall Township, NJ, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Education Divide: Why Millions of Children Lack Education

The Education Divide: Why Millions of Children Lack EducationMillions of children worldwide remain out of school due to poverty, gender inequality, conflict and lack of resources, limiting their future opportunities and economic mobility. According to UNESCO, 244 million children globally do not have access to formal education, with sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia experiencing the highest rates of out-of-school children. Education serves as one of the most powerful tools for breaking the cycle of poverty, as research indicates that each additional year of schooling can increase a person’s income by up to 10%. Despite international efforts to promote universal education, many barriers persist. Addressing this crisis requires targeted policy action, increased education funding and community-driven solutions to ensure that all children have access to learning opportunities.

Economic Struggles and the Cost of Education

Education offers a proven pathway out of poverty, but for families living on less than $2 a day, school costs remain out of reach. In many low-income countries, even when tuition is free, the costs of uniforms, books and transportation prevent children from attending school. According to the World Bank, students from the wealthiest households are four times as likely to complete secondary school as students from the poorest households. Without financial assistance, children from disadvantaged backgrounds are forced to drop out and work to support their families.

In Nigeria, for example, an estimated 10.5 million children are out of school, with many forced into child labor to help their families survive. The economic divide continues to limit educational access, perpetuating cycles of hardship. Governments play a key role in expanding access to education by implementing free school meals, scholarships and subsidized learning materials to remove financial barriers and increase enrollment.

Gender Inequality and Cultural Barriers

Girls in many parts of the world face unique challenges in accessing education. Deep-rooted cultural beliefs, early marriage and safety concerns often prevent girls from continuing their education. The Malala Fund reports that 120 million girls worldwide remain out of school, with South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa experiencing the highest gender disparities.

In Afghanistan, the Taliban’s 2021 takeover led to a nationwide ban on secondary education for girls, forcing 1.4 million girls out of classrooms. Similarly, in rural India, families often prioritize their sons’ education over their daughters’, limiting girls’ opportunities for personal and economic growth. However, solutions exist. In countries like Malawi and Bangladesh, organizations have launched cash transfer programs that incentivize families to keep girls in school, significantly reducing dropout rates. Expanding such female-centered initiatives could help close the education gap for girls globally.

Lack of Infrastructure and Trained Teachers

Beyond financial challenges, many children cannot attend school simply because there are no schools nearby. In sub-Saharan Africa, more than 30% of children live more than five kilometers from the nearest school. For those who do attend, many classrooms suffer from overcrowding, a shortage of teachers and inadequate facilities.

A BBC photo essay documented the experience of Sylvia, an eight-year-old girl from Tanzania, who walks more than one and a half hours each morning to reach her classroom. While her determination is inspiring, no child should have to endure such hardships to receive an education.

Additionally, UNICEF reports that nearly 50% of schools in sub-Saharan Africa lack basic sanitation facilities, making learning especially difficult for girls once they reach puberty. Investing in infrastructure, teacher training and mobile classrooms could help bring education to underserved regions.

Conflict and Displacement: The War on Education

In war-torn areas, conflict disrupts schooling by destroying infrastructure, displacing families and creating unsafe environments for students. Schools often become targets of violence or are repurposed for military use, preventing millions of children from learning. Refugee children face even greater obstacles. According to the UNHCR, more than 15 million refugee children globally are out of school, with less than half of displaced children completing primary education. In Syria, South Sudan and Afghanistan, entire generations of children risk growing up without literacy or formal skills due to prolonged conflict. Governments and organizations could play a critical role in integrating refugee children into local school systems, establishing temporary learning centers and maintaining education continuity during emergencies.

Solutions: Bridging Education Gaps

  • Increasing Education Funding and Policy Reforms. Many governments allocate less than 4% of their GDP to education, which is far below recommended levels. Increased investment in school construction, teacher salaries and learning resources can significantly boost enrollment and learning outcomes. Additionally, policy reforms—such as removing school fees, subsidizing transportation and implementing cash transfer programs—can ensure that the poorest families have access to education.
  • Expanding Community-Based Learning Programs. NGOs play a crucial role in bridging education gaps in underserved regions. Organizations like Room to Read, UNICEF and Save the Children have developed mobile classrooms, after-school tutoring and community-run learning centers to reach children who would otherwise remain out of school. These programs provide literacy and vocational training, ensuring that even children in remote or conflict-affected areas receive some form of education.
  • Leveraging Technology for Remote Education. Technology can revolutionize education access. In countries with limited school infrastructure, digital learning programs and radio-based education initiatives have proven successful in keeping children engaged. For example, Kenya’s Tusome Initiative uses tablets and interactive software to improve literacy rates, while Bangladesh’s “TV Schools” provided distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Strengthening Protections for Refugee and Conflict-Affected Children. Allocating emergency funds for temporary classrooms, teacher training and psychological support can help displaced children continue their education despite crises. Expanding programs that integrate refugee children into local schools—as seen in Jordan and Lebanon’s education reforms for Syrian refugees—can also provide long-term solutions for displaced learners.

Looking Ahead

Bridging the global education gap requires sustained investment in resources, targeted policy reforms and innovative learning solutions. Efforts to improve school accessibility, enhance teacher training and integrate technology have already expanded opportunities for many children. Addressing the needs of students in conflict zones and underserved communities could be essential for breaking cycles of poverty and ensuring long-term development.

– Bailie Cross

Bailie is based in Pensacola, FL, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr