Archive for category: Education

Information and stories on education.

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8 Key Ways to Strengthen Global Supply Chains

8 Key Ways to Strengthen Global Supply Chains Reliable and consistent global supply chains are essential for the maintenance of life-saving services in some of the world’s hardest-hit developing countries. In fact, they provide the key foundations of sanitation and hygiene, water, education, nutrition and health systems in countries that need the most charitable support.

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has committed greater resources to ensure the protection of these crucial supply chains. Hence, working with governments to ensure that all the crucial stages of product selection, strategic procurement and the contracting of logistics services meet as few hindrances as possible.

In addition, UNICEF outlines that post the COVID-19 pandemic, the value of equitable and resilient supply chains is more crucial than ever to ensure access to lifesaving supplies to countries most in need of humanitarian support.

UNICEF Tackle Insecure Supply Chains

In a recent report, UNICEF outlines two key objectives to address the issue:

  1. To create a collection of resources to deal with the most critical hindrances that directly affect supply chains.
  2. To analyze key areas affecting supply chain barriers that affect access to services, products and treatments that are essential.

As a result, UNICEF has compiled data based on the knowledge of key organizations and governments to address these two objectives. These include the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Global Alliance for Vaccines (GAVI), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Global Fund, the African Centre for Disease Control, the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) as well as the private sector.

Ways to Strengthen Global Supply Chains

Furthermore, after compiling the experiences and knowledge of its partners, UNICEF has outlined eight key ways to strengthen global supply chains. Also, these recommendations aim to enhance access to essential, high-quality and life-saving services and supplies in the future.

The following are the eight key ways to strengthen global supply chains:

  1. Foster global sharing partnerships.
  2. Empower supply chain workforces.
  3. Enhance private sector involvement, multi-partner coordination and governance.
  4. Assist local manufacturing supplies and local production, using ‘market shaping’ as a key method. This could include pooled procurement and tools like volume guarantees on products.
  5. Reform fiscal policies and increase funding for the public financing of supplies.
  6. Create a strong service delivery system ensuring quality of care for supplies to their end user.
  7. Ensure the sustainability of social, economic and environmental elements connected to the supply chain.
  8. Quicker access to reliable data and technology to support decision-making.

Global Supply Chain Improvements

Therefore, UNICEF’s investment and collaboration with the mentioned partners and governments have resulted in the implementation of supply chains through projects such as:

  • Nutridash, an online interactive platform that analyzes, stores and captures data from nutritional programs of more than 100 countries.
  • The Vaccine Independence Initiative, a $234 million fund accessible to many governments for procuring nutrition and health supplies, benefiting tens of millions of children annually.
  • The Traceability and Verification System, developed by the organization to authenticate health products including vaccines to ensure patient safety.
  • The Effective Vaccine Management Initiative and Maturity Model, the EVM initiative is a tool that monitors how vaccine supply chains help developing countries improve resource allocation and identify key areas that need development.
  • People that Deliver, this is a branch of UNICEF’s supply chain workforce that supports countries in developing the supply chain workforce through its close association with private and public partnership networks.

These initiatives and projects have helped raise $7.2 billion in supplies and services, enhancing the provision for supply storage and the transportation of vaccines, medicines and other critical supplies. In addition, they have also resulted in increased procurement of Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), a crucial item for treating severe wasting in children. Through these efforts, UNICEF met two-thirds of the global demand for RUTF production.

Progress and Promise

Despite facing significant challenges, the strides made in improving child survival rates in developing countries offer a beacon of hope. UNICEF’s call to action for strengthening global supply chains highlights a path forward to addressing critical needs, from vaccine accessibility to combating severe wasting and enhancing sanitation in schools. Furthermore, with concerted efforts and continued focus, the gap in essential services can be bridged, promising a healthier, more secure future for millions of children around the world.

– Domenico Palermo
Photo: Flickr

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Higher Education in Bhutan

Higher Education in BhutanHigher education in Bhutan is bringing a tremendous opportunity to this remote land. Bhutan is a remote, landlocked and mountainous country in Central Asia, between Tibet (China) and India, with a population of 750,000. Bhutan may be small, but it has a lot of potential. One of the few countries to avoid colonialism, remain self-governing and maintain a sense of mystery. While Bhutan may try and be isolationist, it is now heavily reliant on agriculture and tourism. However, this historic Kingdom may be small and resource-limited, but its innovation and investment are not. Bhutan was the first country in the world to have happiness be a state policy and now higher education in Bhutan is bringing limitless opportunities to its people.

Prioritizing Education

Bhutan recently established democracy, with the country becoming a constitutional monarchy in 2008, but for the past 100 years, Bhutan has prioritized education. While secular, it still effectively incorporates traditional values, its unique heritage and culture into it. Its constitution also reinforces this, with article 9 ensuring “spiritual and emotional development are equally as important as the promotion of material consumption and modern physical comforts…and that the ultimate purpose of the government is to promote the happiness of its people,” according to a 2016 article. It certainly is the happiest, with its king, his majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuk having coined the term Gross National Happiness (GNH). Bhutan strikes a balance between modernization and maintaining its identity.

While formal education may have originally started in the 1950s, before this the monasteries delivered education on a tiny scale, with only 2,500 children enrolled in primary school. There are now two universities, both providing the only college and post-college education within the country. In 2003, The Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) opened and was The first establishment. In 2008, a separate school split off into its separate institution, the Gedu College of Business Studies. This has meant that there are now more than 10000 students in various programs.

Environmental Education

Environmental education is also part of higher education in Bhutan. The Royal Thimphu College offers Environmental Management (BSc) and there is also the Russell E. Train Education for Nature (EFN) scholarship, provided by the World Wide Fund (WWF) Bhutan’s Youth and Education Program, to help support future conservationists. From 2016-2018, 18 students benefited from the scholarship.

The WWF also offers The Education for Sustained Development (ESD) project, which promotes knowledge and development of fundamental skills necessary for young people to help create a sustainable future, through environmental conservation. There is also the chance to become a Living Planet ambassador, for those who demonstrate a passion for environmental action, with the first one appointed in November 2020.

Foreign Aid and Governmental Funds

The Government of Bhutan funds both universities, which gets part of its funding from grants from the Government of India. Not only does India help fund Bhutan education, but Indian teachers also serve in remote Bhutanese villages, to bring education to even the most distant parts. In fact, in 2019 Jai Bir Rai, the education minister in India, organized a special ceremony to honor 80 teachers and celebrate diplomatic relations between Bhutan and India.

Foreign aid also contributes to this funding. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has dedicated a total of $1.2 billion to Bhutan, as of 2024. The EU also allocated €31 million from 2021 until 2024, which renews this year and dedicates €9.3 million of this funding to strengthening local government and digitalization in education.

Bhutan spends a lot of its own money too. For example, from 2015 to 2020, Bhutan’s GDP increased by 33.4% whereas the public education budget increased by 58% within the same period, demonstrating that Bhutan reinvests profit from growth.

However, 12.4% of the population lived below the national poverty line in 2022, and with the U.N. stating that globally, 420 million could escape poverty by finishing secondary education, this level of investment can make a real difference.

Prioritizing Universal Values

Higher education in Bhutan does not mean that the state exclusively benefits from this investment in education, the world does as well. For example, through Erasmus+, “more than 600 student exchanges between Bhutan and the EU have taken place over five years(2015-19).” From humble beginnings, Bhutan has demonstrated that a country can prioritize universal values, knowledge, happiness and the world.

– Jack Timmins
Photo: Flickr

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Child Marriage in South Africa

Child Marriage in South Africa Each day, approximately 41,000 girls worldwide, become brides before reaching the age of 18, entering into child marriage. Every such marriage results in a girl losing her freedom, childhood and any chance for autonomy. These girls are more than 50% more likely to face sexual or physical harm. Girls Not Brides, a female-led NGO, directs its efforts toward ending gender-based violence and child marriage in South Africa and globally.

Women Leading Change

Men often dominate public discourse, making it notable when women lead the charge for change. Such was the case in South Africa in November 2023, when female philanthropists, activists and leaders convened to strategize support for adolescent girls, with a focus on eradicating child marriage.

Prominent among the attendees were Mrs. Michelle Obama and Ms. Melinda Gates. Mrs. Obama, the former First Lady of the United States (U.S.), underscored the critical role of education for young girls in breaking the cycle of child marriage and called for sustained investment in grassroots organizations and leadership. Ms. Gates advocated for a comprehensive approach that includes policy and legal reforms. She emphasized the importance of community awareness supported by government action to empower girls with choices over their futures. Both women, celebrated authors and influential figures, alongside other local dignitaries, issued a call to action against child marriage.

Benefits of Ending Child Marriage

Ending child marriage in South Africa and globally, brings a multitude of benefits that span social, economic and health dimensions. By addressing this issue, South Africa could unlock the potential for individual growth, societal advancement and economic development. Notable sources, including the United Nations (U.N.), World Bank and various NGOs, have highlighted these benefits in their research and advocacy efforts.

According to UNICEF, by delaying marriage, girls are less likely to face early pregnancy, which is associated with higher risks of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity and more likely to stay in school and complete their education. Education equips girls with the knowledge and skills necessary to support themselves, fully participate in their communities and make informed decisions about their lives and health, setting a foundation for improved health outcomes both for themselves and their future children.

Furthermore, the World Bank indicates that eliminating child marriage could significantly boost economic growth and productivity by enhancing a country’s earnings and growth potential. In fact, educated and empowered women are more likely to enter the workforce and contribute positively to the national economy.

Economic Implications

Eradicating child marriage has positive ripple effects on the economy, including a reduction in birth rates that alters a population’s age structure, thereby enhancing what is known as the ‘demographic dividend.’ This term refers to the economic growth potential when a larger portion of the population is of working age. It boosts health, productivity and the overall economy. The effect on productivity is particularly significant.

Child marriage sidelines girls, excluding them from the workforce and depriving economies of half their potential labor force, presenting a substantial obstacle to development. The World Bank estimates that countries lose on average about 1% of their economic base due to child marriage.

The Role of Girls Not Brides

Girls Not Brides is a global network dedicated to ending child marriage, focusing on girls as central to the solution. The organization collaborates with communities, local governments and faith leaders, emphasizing that only a collective effort can eliminate the outdated stigma of girls being inferior and end the practice of child marriage as a means of connecting families and kin.

This strategy aims to end the treatment of girls as currency and sees empowering them as a way out of poverty. By mobilizing young girls and improving their access to education and sexual health care, Girls Not Brides helps lift nations out of poverty.

Empowering the Future

The global fight against child marriage, led by influential women and organizations like Girls Not Brides, is carving a path toward empowerment and equality for girls in South Africa and beyond. By fostering education and legal reforms, these efforts are unlocking the vast potential for personal and economic growth, setting a precedent for future generations.

The collective drive and dedication to ending child marriage reflect a powerful commitment to reshaping society for the better, ensuring every girl has the opportunity to control her destiny and contribute fully to her community.

– Isaac Rowlands
Photo: Unsplash

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Onesmus Okamar on Art and Education in Kenya

Onesmus Okamar“There are many people with great talents that only lack information. If you don’t know where to take your work to sell or how to approach galleries or individual clients – how to relate to them – that becomes the biggest challenge and an obstacle for many artists and people in all fields.” The Borgen Project interviewed Onesmus Okamar, a self-taught Kenyan artist, discussing his work with the Kobo Trust, art as a tool for alleviating poverty and education in Kenya.

About Onesmus Okamar

Born in Teso-North, Busia County, Kenya, Okamar is an award-winning visual artist based in the country’s capital city, Nairobi. With no formal training, Okamar began pursuing art at age 17. Two years later, in 2014, Okamar received a commendation for the Mask Prize, an award celebrating the creativity and innovation of African youth.

While discussing art and education in Kenya, Onesmus Okamar states that one of the biggest problems that Kenyans face is an insufficiency of information and access to resources, explaining that a particular struggle for creatives is to find “a physical space where they can work and where they can invite clients to get to know their art.”

The Kobo Trust

According to Onesmus Okamar, the Kobo Trust, a charitable foundation and nonprofit founded by Kobo Safaris Ltd. in 2011, works both with artists and children from disadvantaged backgrounds, seeking to create a solution to this problem. The Kobo Trust provides a creative space for artists to use while educating, rehabilitating and sheltering children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Okamar describes that many “kids end up in the streets because they don’t have anything to do when they finish school.” However, the Kobo Trust sponsors children through their primary, secondary and tertiary levels and “empowers them by getting them involved in businesses of their own.”

Having worked as an artist for the Kobo Trust since 2017, Okamar explains that the foundation receives 20% of any sale from its exhibitions while the remainder profits the artist directly. Through a circular scheme, the 20% returned to the Kobo Trust funds further investment in the foundation’s children, projects and partnerships.

Art as a Tool 

The Kobo Trust is dedicated to sponsoring both children and artists. However, its primary goal is to use arts and culture as a tool for alleviating poverty. The foundation achieves this by using art as a tool for healing traumas while empowering, transforming and building resilience.

When asked how art can practically translate to alleviate poverty, Okamar says, “First and foremost, art must be used as a tool to find an individual’s inner voice, to help expand creativity and freedom of expression.”

The Kobo Trust encourages the freedom of expression as a means to address issues and traumas associated with poverty. It provides an outlet for children and young people to respond positively to their circumstances through art. In doing so, individuals learn that art can be used to overcome a wide variety of challenges and are edified about art as a tool to amplify wider discussions of social, economic and political concerns.

In a brief given by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) discussing the role of art in alleviating poverty, Dr. Kessous, UNESCO artist and ambassador for peace, described it as this: “The impact of art is underestimated today. We have a limited view of an artist as someone who produces beauty devoid of social conscience. In response, many artists decide to combine activism and art to become ‘artivists’ – offering their talents to alleviate suffering, promote peace and prevent war.”

Education in Kenya

Since 2005, Kenya’s economy has steadily grown, transcending from a low-income to a middle-income country. However, disparities in wealth distribution and access to education and health care have created a large divide between Kenya’s rich and poor. Okamar explains that “at times, even the people who may have finances around them lack the information that can help them in their careers.”

When discussing whether art is supported in the Kenyan education system, Okamar laughs, saying that “most parents in Kenya still want their children to become lawyers and doctors.” While this remains prevalent in many countries worldwide, a 2020 study showed that only 19% of Kenyans enrolled in tertiary education, indicating 23% less than the global average.

According to Onesmus Okamar, the latest curriculum does include art but doesn’t address it to be beneficial for development beyond the educational level. He states that “they [students] don’t know anything about the finance part of it. They’re not taught about marketing or using it as an income.” He likens the current system to “giving someone the equipment without giving them the manual on how to use it.”

Alleviating Poverty

Increasing education and access to resources has been proven as a way of reducing poverty. However, when combined with art, it creates a positive medium to address issues synonymous with poverty while increasing awareness and visibility of this suffering. By engaging people in the arts, disadvantaged individuals are encouraged to find their voices and positively contribute to the world around them. Art transforms mentalities, making it a powerful tool in the battle against poverty reduction.

– Zoe Winterfeldt
Photo: Courtesy of Onesmus Okamar

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The Sanctuary Scholarship and Poverty Alleviation in Iraq

Sanctuary ScholarshipThe Sanctuary Scholarship program at the University of Exeter is actively contributing to poverty alleviation, particularly for individuals from Iraq seeking asylum or refugee status. This initiative, geared towards eliminating financial barriers to education, not only facilitates access to top-tier academic opportunities but also empowers recipients to play a crucial role in addressing poverty-related challenges in their home country.

Empowering Through Education

The Sanctuary Scholarship program at the University of Exeter is pivotal in empowering individuals facing asylum or refugee challenges and addressing persistent issues in Iraqi education. Despite advancements, numerous challenges persist, including limited access to basic education and high dropout rates, particularly among children from the poorest quintile, constituting 38% of all school dropouts. The program covers a broad range of academic disciplines, encompassing full-time undergraduate and doctoral programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. This comprehensive approach enables scholars from Iraq to pursue their academic passions, contributing to vital fields essential for their home country’s holistic development.

The initiative tackles these issues by providing valuable educational opportunities, contributing to poverty alleviation and empowering individuals to shape a brighter future for Iraq. The program equips recipients with essential knowledge and skills for meaningful contributions to Iraq’s socioeconomic development by imparting education. The significant disparity in global rankings between the University of Exeter (143rd) and Iraq’s leading university, the University of Technology Iraq (801-1000th), underscores the impactful role of international educational support in addressing educational disparities and fostering positive change.

Addressing Financial Barriers

The Sanctuary Scholarship significantly aids in poverty alleviation by addressing financial barriers hindering access to higher education, particularly evident in Iraq’s declining gross national income per capita, reducing from $5,940 in 2012 to $5,270 by 2022. Recipients, including those from Iraq, benefit from a full tuition fee waiver for undergraduate and doctoral programs. Additionally, living cost grants and supplementary bursaries ease the financial burden of pursuing a degree, enabling scholars to concentrate on their studies without the strain of economic constraints.

Building Future Leaders

The Sanctuary Scholarship program at the University of Exeter catalyzes developing future leaders in Iraq through strategic investments in education. With unemployment in Iraq nearly doubling from 7.96% in 2012 to 15.55% in 2022, the program plays a crucial role in addressing this challenge. Iraqi scholars benefiting from the initiative gain exposure to a global learning environment, engaging with diverse perspectives, innovative research and valuable networking opportunities. This international exposure equips them with essential skills to drive positive change and tackle the multifaceted challenges of poverty upon their return to Iraq.

Simultaneously, Iraq’s middle class has dwindled from 61% in 2007 to 30% in 2020, accompanied by rising poverty levels, impacting the country’s stability, fueling extremism and heightening ethnic and sectarian tensions. The Sanctuary Scholarship program actively counters these trends by fostering international collaboration among students from diverse backgrounds. This collaborative environment is a unique platform for Iraqi scholars to build global connections, leveraging them for collaborative efforts in poverty alleviation and sustainable development in Iraq.

Conclusion

The Sanctuary Scholarship at the University of Exeter stands as a beacon of hope for individuals from Iraq seeking refuge. This program empowers scholars to become agents of change in the fight against poverty by dismantling financial barriers and providing a world-class education. As recipients return to Iraq armed with knowledge, skills and a global perspective, the impact of the Sanctuary Scholarship resonates not only within the individual lives it transforms but also in the broader context of contributing to a more prosperous and equitable future for Iraq.

– Madeleine Norris
Photo: Flickr

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5 Things To Know about Education in Burundi

Education in BurundiBurundi is one of the least developed countries in the world, situated in central Africa between the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania and Rwanda. In recent years, the government has emphasized the importance of education in Burundi, making great efforts to improve both the rates and the quality of education. Here are five things you may not know about education in this often-overlooked nation.

Formal and Non-Formal Education

In Burundi, there are two types of education: formal and non-formal. Formal education, which is aimed at all children, has five levels. These include:

  • Preschool
  • Basic
  • Post-basic
  • Trades and vocational training
  • Higher Education

Non-formal education consists of general activities and learning aimed at out-of-school children and illiterate adults. Primarily funded by NGOs and religious groups, this form of education focuses on providing learning in basic literacy and mathematics to make general education more accessible.

Education is Free

Part of the success of education in Burundi is owed to the widespread governmental support, evident in the decision to make education free and compulsory for all at the primary level. Consequently, an impressive 96% of children were attending school in 2011, compared to 59% just six years earlier. A U.N. Secretary-General report also stated that despite being one of the world’s least developed countries, Burundi ranked highest among countries “having made the greatest strides in education.”

Burundi Scores Highly in African Literacy Rates

By making primary education free and compulsory, education in Burundi is well on the rise. As of 2017, literacy rates among young people have jumped from 62% to 88% over a decade. Consequently, Burundi has become one of the top 20 African countries for literacy, which is a huge achievement for the nation. This is largely owed to introducing Kirundi, the local language that most of the population speak, as the language of instruction during the early years of schooling, as well as hiring dedicated teachers and emphasizing the importance of education among communities.

Burundi Dedicates a Quarter of Its Budget to Education

Burundi has an extremely young and fast-growing population. With 41.5% of its population under 15, there is a constantly growing demand for teachers, school equipment and resources. As a result, the country has invested 25% of its national budget into education for the last five years, which is significantly more than average for a sub-Saharan country. Such investment aims to increase education rates among the younger generation and keep up with the expected growing demand for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which is predicted to increase by almost 50% by 2030.  

Despite All, There Remain High Drop-Out Rates

Despite all of the efforts to improve education in Burundi, the nation continues to see high drop-out rates.  According to a study conducted by the Education Policy and Data Center in 2010, school participation rates remained high for both sexes at the age of 10, with 92%. However, these rates declined to 65% for girls and 77% for boys by the time they reached 15.

More girls are dropping out than boys in their adolescent years for various reasons, such as teenage pregnancy and a lack of separate toilet facilities, which are increasingly important for girls when they begin menstruation. External factors and circumstances continue to be capable of impacting a child’s education despite the quality of schooling that may be available to them.

The Future

The above facts demonstrate the significant progress education in Burundi has seen in the last couple of decades and the areas that may still need some further attention. Despite being one of the poorest countries in the world today, Burundi remarkably achieves high literacy rates, provides free primary education and ensures that practically all children receive a basic education. Although external and societal factors remain a pressing issue and a reason for significant drop-out rates among older children, Burundi is no doubt on the right path to a brighter and more educated future for its population.

– Rose Williams
Photo: Flickr

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RISING Uganda: Quality & Inclusive Learning For All

Rising UgandaIn the summer of 2023, the RISING Uganda project, a scheme established to provide Ugandan children with access to education, unveiled its plans to construct and/or refurbish more than 67 classrooms and 53 WASH facilities within nine districts across the country. The charity estimates that the value of this project will be in excess of 3 billion Ugandan shillings.

The Rising Uganda Project

The RISING Uganda project emerged in 2022 through the Stromme Foundation East Africa. The project intends to cover four years and its purpose is to collaborate with households, communities and political leaders to dismantle barriers preventing children from receiving quality education. These barriers include classroom shortages and learning gaps.

The East Africa initiative is a branch of the wider Stromme Foundation. This NGO traces its origins to 1976 through the efforts of Reverend Olav Kristian Strømme of Kristiansand Cathedral in Norway to raise money for the less fortunate. It has since grown into the largest NGO in Norway. Following the reverend’s death, his nephew Gunnar Strømme built upon his uncle’s work by establishing the Strømme Memorial Foundation in support of less fortunate individuals on a global scale. Today, the organization maintains regional offices in Mali, Uganda and Sri Lanka along with headquarters in Norway. The organization also maintains partnerships with 11 different countries, exclusively within Asia and Africa.

Within Uganda itself, the Stromme Foundation estimates that the percentage of Ugandans currently living in poverty stands at 42% and that 23.5% of the population above the age of 15 are illiterate. 

Programs

Intervention schemes to address these statistics include the Bonga Adolescent Empowerment Programme. Bonga is a life skills training program that utilizes “a dialogue process to build confidence among the out-of-school illiterate adolescent girls and boys (13- 19 years) to develop their analytical capacity through life skills and vocational skills,” the Stromme Foundation website says.

Similarly, the foundation’s Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) program is an outreach project to provide young Ugandans with the transferable skills necessary to succeed in the employment market through apprenticeship models to provide them with a means of contributing to both their household income and the economy of their wider community.

With the RISING Uganda program, a collaborative effort will be maintained between the Stromme Foundation East Africa and district education officers, teachers and community leaders to incentivize such communities to enrol more children in schools erect new classrooms, refurbish existing ones and supply vulnerable school children with the necessary resources to learn. 

Upon the announcement of the construction of 67 new classrooms and 53 WASH facilities by the Stromme Foundation, Carron Beaumont, head of Program Implementation at Plan International Uganda, highlighted at the initiating event that “Investing in basic school infrastructure is crucial for better learning outcomes, especially at this time where enrolment into education is needed for millions of children who have been affected by ongoing and past conflicts as well as crises and gender inequalities.’’

First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni also attended the initiating event and laid out a foundation stone to mark the occasion. 

The Power of Collaboration

The RISING Uganda scheme is currently being implemented as a consortium involving not only the Stromme Foundation but also Plan International Uganda, a charity similarly devoted to the empowerment of Uganda’s youth since 1992. This collaborative effort is operating in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports while receiving funding from Educate A Child in Uganda. Similarly, Educate A Child is a global charity devoted to providing school children across the world with a quality education for children afflicted with circumstances such as poverty, discrimination and conflict. Its reach encompasses 53 countries, including Uganda.

Through the efforts of humanitarian organizations, quality and inclusive learning for all may be a possibility.

– Thomas Perry
Photo: Flickr

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Transforming Education in Pakistan: Innovative Digital Solutions

Transforming Education in PakistanEducation is the cornerstone for progress and development in any nation. In Pakistan, an estimated 22.8 million children between 5-16 are out of school, accounting for 44% of the total population in this age range. Even those within the educational system face significant challenges due to a lack of funding, such as low-quality teaching and lack of resources. Education deprivation also unfortunately reinforces class and gender inequality; gender-wise, boys outnumber girls at every stage of education.

Enter the Teach the World Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming education in Pakistan by harnessing the power of technology to advance literacy in developing countries. The Foundation firmly believes that the conventional educational system falls short of providing children from underprivileged backgrounds with the opportunity for a quality education. Recognizing this gap, the Foundation employs innovative digital learning methods demonstrating exceptional efficiency through a proof-of-concept. These digital approaches are carefully curated to promote self-learning, ensuring scalability and cost-effectiveness.

Currently, in Pakistan, the Teach the World Foundation is actively engaged in educational initiatives in Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore, with a strong commitment to expanding its reach. The Foundation’s ongoing programs in Pakistan include in-school initiatives, micro-school programs and smartphone-based learning programs. A closer look into these programs reveals the innovative methods used by Teach the World to tackle poverty through education in Pakistan.

In-School Initiatives

Teach the World Foundation recognizes the power of collaboration in transforming education in Pakistan and has actively formed partnerships with other NGOs and schools in various regions. The foundation has devised innovative solutions to tackle the shortage of proficient English teachers, a key impediment to effective learning. In a world rapidly becoming more globalized, English proficiency appears to be crucial. However, attracting skilled English teachers is challenging due to higher-paying opportunities in alternative job sectors. The foundation introduced advanced educational games featuring “best-in-class” content in English, math and local languages to bridge this gap. Notably, students engaging with these interactive tools demonstrated a remarkable two times improvement in performance compared to control groups. Beyond academic achievement, the initiative nurtures essential modern skills such as digital literacy, self-learning and self-confidence.

An exemplary case in Karachi involves partnering with The Citizens Foundation (TCF) on a pilot program in 2017. The initiative began with 240 kindergarten, first and second-grade children. To date, there has been remarkable progress in 40 students, who have shown proficiency in English and Maths and increased self-confidence. The next steps for this program involve expanding its reach, increasing partnerships with other schools, and extending the curriculum to include Urdu content. For instance, in Islamabad, with the aid of the Moawin Foundation, there are plans to expand from two to 23 schools, potentially benefiting up to 8,700 children.

Micro-schools

Micro-schools, introduced by Teach the World Foundation in 2021, represent a revolutionary approach to education delivery. These one-room schools are powered by digital learning software, providing a scalable and cost-effective solution to the shortage of teachers and schools in Pakistan. There are five micro-schools in Karachi and two in Lahore, with ambitious plans to establish 500-1000 such schools in the next five years. Micro-schools’ power lies in their efficiency – requiring minimal staff, space and no conventional teachers. This scalability has a high potential for positive impact, particularly in rural areas where educational resources are severely lacking. A case in point is the province of Baluchistan, where an alarming 70% of children do not attend school. The potential for micro-schools to address this stark educational disparity in rural regions is promising.

Smartphone Programs

In response to the widespread availability of smartphones among parents of school-going children, Teach the World Foundation has piloted smartphone-based learning programs. This initiative takes advantage of the fact that 24 million parents of school-going children own smartphones. Parents are introduced to the home-schooling initiative and encouraged to download the Foundation’s learning application for their children. Regular check-ins with facilitators and weekly online quizzes reinforce the learning process. This approach addresses logistical challenges, actively involves parents in educating their children and encourages family literacy.

The foundation’s current pilot program involves 1,500 children in Islamabad and Bangladesh. The cost-effectiveness of this program, with only an initial application creation cost, positions it as a highly scalable model. Teach the World continues to explore partnerships and refine its approach, and there is optimism that this smartphone-based program could extend its impact to millions of students, addressing accessibility and cost barriers in education.

Looking Ahead

Teach the World Foundation’s multifaceted approach to education in cities like Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad exemplifies a commitment to innovation and inclusivity. The foundation is transforming education in Pakistan through in-school initiatives, micro-schools and smartphone programs. As these initiatives continue to grow and evolve, the vision of widespread, high-quality education in Pakistan draws closer to reality. The foundation’s success stories show the transformative potential of digital learning in addressing educational challenges and fostering a brighter future for Pakistan.

– Haniya Rahman
Photo: Unsplash

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Oprah Winfrey Supports Education in Developing Countries

Oprah WinfreyTelevision personality and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey (“Oprah”) has set up several foundations and networks with charitable causes. Through these foundations, Oprah has helped educate some of the most vulnerable communities within the United States and beyond.

Oprah’s Angel Network

Oprah established a public charity called Oprah’s Angel Network in 1998. During its 12-year history, the charity garnered more than $80 million in donations, all of which went toward supporting charitable causes across the world. According to the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation website, Oprah’s Angel Network dedicated funds towards bettering the lives of people around the world, including helping establish 60 schools in 13 countries, creating scholarships, supporting women’s shelters, and building youth centers and homes.

The Angel Network concluded in 2010 after distributing $1 million in donations to six charter schools to support the improvement of quality public education for children.

Seven Foundations Primary School

In 2007, Oprah’s Angel Network provided funding for the Seven Fountains Primary School located in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Situated in a poor, rural community, the initial school building had no electricity, limited water access, few sanitation facilities, and stood in a dilapidated state. Donations from the network allowed for the construction of an entirely new and sustainably built school building with proper facilities for both learning and recreation. An approximate 1,000 students were provided with educational resources that they and their instructors had previously not had access to, including computers and SMART Boards.

Designed to impact the whole community, the school also granted adults access to use its facilities to further their education or host workshops. Amenities made available to them consisted of a night school, the computer lab, and the library.

Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls

The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (“OWLAG”) was established by Oprah in 2007 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Inspired by former South African president Nelson Mandela and his passion for education, Oprah made a promise back in 2002 to provide the best possible education opportunities for marginalized women in South Africa. The OWLAG, a result of that pledge, is active to this day.

Entry criteria for the academy requires that the applicant has had to overcome childhood poverty and trauma, yet also possesses a resilience, courage and spirit that establishes them as a leader among their peers. With features such as 21 state-of-the-art classrooms, six labs, and a 10,000 volume library, the OWLAG provides chosen girls with access to world-class resources dedicated towards improving their education and supporting them to seek out substantial careers.

As of 2023, 528 girls have graduated from the academy. Out of this number, 90% have pursued college education, some attending top universities around the world.

Improving Education: Looking Ahead

Through Oprah’s charitable work over the years, even the most disadvantaged communities have been able to receive an education that will allow them to gain the skills and knowledge needed to break the cycle of poverty.

In October 2023, Oprah pledged $2.5 million to the U.S. Dream Academy to assist in their efforts to provide after-school and mentoring programs to children with incarcerated parents. With youth education being a priority for her philanthropic deeds, she hopes to continue to provide marginalized groups with the resources they need to be able to shape a better future for themselves.

– Ella Bushell
Photo: Flickr

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SAP Launches Educate to Employ Initiative in South Africa

Educate to Employ InitiativeIn November 2023, SAP, in collaboration with UNICEF and other public-private organizations, such as the National Youth Development Agency, activated its Educate to Employ Initiative in South Africa. The initiative aims to “introduce a pathway that will possibly resolve the disproportionate levels of youth unemployment.”

Unemployment in South Africa 

Although South Africa the most industrialized country in Africa, it ranks among countries with the world’s highest youth unemployment rate, with a reported 51.25% of its youth facing unemployment. According to the Republic of South Africa’s Quarterly Labor Force Survey in 2023, individuals aged 15 to 34 experience particularly high levels of unemployment. Notably, 60% of those between 15 and 24 years old are without employment and around 34% of young people in this age group are not engaged in employment, education or training.

How SAP is Helping

SAP will work towards granting equal opportunities for “underrepresented individuals, including minorities from diverse ethnic backgrounds, women, differently abled individuals, the underprivileged and the disadvantaged.” It will select about 100 applicants from a pool of 18,000 across the continent. The selected individuals will undergo remote training over a six to 12-month period.

The SAP Student Zone Portal allows students to learn about the latest SAP solutions for free. “The curriculum also encompasses employability skills, technology in the workplace, business foundation knowledge, SAP foundational knowledge and SAP skills certification.” Upon completion of the course, they will have the opportunity to secure various IT internships in departments such as consulting, development, analysis and support within the SAP ecosystem. 

Businesses alone cannot close the age gap in the workforce. According to a study that the National Research Foundation conducted, “the education system fails to adequately provide youth with even basic skills, such as literacy and numeracy, that employers require.” Studies show that although multiple factors are at play when it comes to youth’s access to the job market, they mainly suggest interventions that can address and offer “skills, social capital and information gaps that young people face.”

Focus on Socio-emotional Skills

Programs like this initiative focus on socio-emotional skills, also referred to as “soft skills.” These skills include emotional intelligence, problem-solving and critical thinking. Businesses that participate in programs like Educate to Employ will also have the opportunity to gain access to certified and diverse talent and help “bridge the demand and supply gap for SAP skills and accelerate digital transformation within their respective countries through a digitally skilled workforce.” 

“We welcome SAP’s continued investment into skills development for the youth and extend our congratulations to UNICEF and SAP on their partnership. The South African government is encouraged by the initiative and we look forward to supporting efforts to scale the SAP Educate to Employ initiative,” expressed Pinky Kekana, Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, at an event that showcased the SAP Educate to Employ initiative in Johannesburg.

Eugene Ho, the Global Corporate Social Responsibility Director for Future Skills at SAP, said the company is not focusing on bridging the gap between education and the world but rather finding a solution “to global unemployment, increasing the competitiveness of economies and enhancing their attractiveness to investors, all of which are essential for growth.”

– Noura Dakka
Photo: Flickr