Education

UNICEF was established in the aftermath of World War II to help children whose lives and futures were at risk – no matter what country they were from. More than 75 years after UNICEF’s founding, the world faces a variety of momentous crises including armed conflict, the effects of climate change, economic downturn and the fallout from the COVID-19…, 6 WAYS UNICEF GETS RESULTS, 1. Local presence, global reach, UNICEF is active in more than  190 countries and territories . Our vast network of skilled and committed staff means we can take successful approaches from one place in the world and adapt them to meet challenges elsewhere, helping drive results for children and young people at a global scale.  Safe births: A mother and her newborn 356 million…, 2. Unlocking greater impact for children, As one of the world’s largest buyers of lifesaving supplies such as vaccines and ready-to-use therapeutic food, UNICEF has unique leverage with suppliers. Our expertise in anticipating demand, a strong knowledge of markets and ability to work with industry enables UNICEF to consider production and supply chain challenges, provide timely access to…, 3. Emergency response and readiness, UNICEF is on the ground before, during and after humanitarian emergencies. Our global supply chain and local presence mean we can get help to where it's needed fast – we can ship lifesaving supplies almost anywhere in the world within 72 hours. Just as important, UNICEF stays and delivers. How we respond in crises lays the foundation for long-term…, 4. New solutions to old problems, Innovation is at the heart of UNICEF’s ability to achieve results for children and young people. Our global innovation centre helps scale up proven solutions, while a dedicated innovation fund provides financial resources to promising early-stage projects. The results? A new wave of technologies and products to help us reach the hardest-to-reach…, 5. Powerful partnerships, Strong partnerships with governments, NGOs, civil society and the private sector make UNICEF’s work for children possible. In turn, our credibility, impartiality and record of achieving results make us a partner of choice. Global brands – from Ikea and Lego to Microsoft – leverage their resources and drive innovation to help children and young…, 6. An influential voice for children, UNICEF is the world’s leading voice for – and with – children. Impartial and non-political, we are never silent about violations of children’s rights. Our research and reports are a leading source of data and information on the situation of children and young people around the world for journalists, researchers, policy makers and advocates. Our…

← Back to Education UNICEF works day in and day out, in some of the world’s toughest places, to protect children’s rights and safeguard their futures. On the ground in over 190 countries and territories, we reach more children and young people than any other international organization. Explore our education programmes, initiatives and partnerships., Global partnerships and initiatives, Reimagine Education, In a world facing a learning crisis, digital learning should be an essential service. UNICEF aims to have every child and young person – some 3.5 billion by 2030 – connected to world-class digital solutions that offer personalized learning. Learn more, Learning Passport, A TIME Best Invention of 2021, the Learning Passport enables high-quality, flexible learning for children anywhere, to close the learning poverty gap. Learn more, Generation Unlimited, If the largest generation of young people in history is prepared for the transition to work, the potential for global progress is unlimited. We enable young people to become productive and engaged members of society. Learn more, Giga, The Giga Initiative was launched to connect every school to the internet and every young person to information, opportunity and choice. Learn more, Education Cannot Wait, Education Cannot Wait is the United Nations global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises. We support and protect holistic learning outcomes so no one is left behind. Learn more, EdTech Hub, EdTech Hub is a global research partnership that empowers people by giving them the evidence they need to make decisions about technology in education. Learn more, Global Partnership for Education, GPE is the world’s only partnership and fund focused on providing quality education to children in lower-income countries. Learn more, Global Education Cluster, The Global Education Cluster works towards a predictable, equitable and well-coordinated response addressing education concerns of crisis-affected populations. Learn more, United Nations Girls' Education Initiative, Through evidence building, coordinated advocacy and collective action, the UNGEI partnership works to close the gender gap in education. Learn more, All in School, In collaboration with the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, this initiative provides governments with actionable data to identify barriers that lead to exclusion and develop policies and programmes that put more children on track to complete their education. Learn more, Learn more

Governments and education stakeholders around the world are urged to endorse the  Commitment to Action on Foundational Learning  to ensure all children, including the most marginalized, develop foundational learning to realize their full potential and participate in society. Nearly six-out-of-ten children globally are estimated to be affected by…, Commitment to Action on Foundational Learning, Ensure foundational learning as a key element to transform education 1.    Low learning levels – the barrier children face   a.    The pre-COVID learning crisis has been made even more severe by the pandemic. Currently it is estimated that, globally, six out of every ten children suffer from learning poverty: they are unable to read and understand…, Endorsements, NEW REPORT: Less than half of all countries surveyed have a specific focus on foundational literacy and numeracy in their national curriculum. > learn more 🔎 See which government are  making progress on foundational learning From Governments Argentina Armenia Belgium Belize Brazil Bulgaria Cambodia Central African Republic Chile Colombia Cote d…

Nearly two-thirds of 10-year-olds are estimated to be unable to read and understand a simple text. Without urgent action, this global learning crisis will become a generational catastrophe. Education systems are failing our children.     Education systems were already failing our children even before the pandemic. COVID-19  exacerbated this…, Get involved, Learn what needs to happen For partners and policymakers For young people UNICEF in action, What needs to happen, UNICEF is calling on governments to:, Reach every child and keep them in school  Assess learning levels regularly Prioritize teaching the fundamentals  Increase catch-up learning and progress beyond what was lost Develop psychosocial health and well-being so every child is ready to learn. Governments and education stakeholders around the world are urged to endorse the  Commitment to…, For partners and policymakers, We need urgent action from governments and other partners to invest in education. Without ambitious action on basic reading and maths, with a focus on the most marginalized children, we will fail to achieve the SDGs by 2030.  NEW REPORT: Less than half of all countries surveyed have a specific focus on foundational literacy and numeracy in their…, For young people, Did you know that education is a human right? But too many children around the world still don’t go to school. And an even larger number of kids who are in schools, aren’t getting the quality education they deserve. Express your views and support for the issues that matter to you on Voices of Youth – UNICEF's digital community for youth, by youth., For parents, Is your child getting ready for preschool or is anxious about going back to school? Find tips on how to support them, as well as many other parenting resources on UNICEF’s Parenting Hub . , For teachers, Children depend on their teachers to help them catch-up on lost learning in a safe and supportive environment. UNICEF stands with teachers everywhere in calling for more investment, training and support for their work. Meet Lessly, an incredible teacher from Zambia, who's on a mission to help her students catch up on their learning., UNICEF in action, Learn more

Additional resource collections Education programme case studies Education programme case studies Education knowledge management dashboard Education knowledge management dashboard Education related COVID-19 resources Education-related COVID-19 resources  , Learn more about education

17/09/21 We are facing an education crisis. For nearly 77 million children, the pandemic has taken away their classrooms for the past 18 months. Schoolchildren worldwide have lost 1.8 trillion hours and counting of in-person learning due to COVID-19 lockdowns. The right to go to school and learn is central to every child’s development, safety and…, No Time to Lose installation at the United Nations, Why schools should reopen as soon as possible, “Children should return to in-person learning as soon as possible” The cost of school closures on students’ learning, health and well-being has been devastating.  The repercussions for every child, their family, their community and their economy will be felt for years to come. Many children will never catch up. School closures impact every child,…, Supported by:, The African Council of Religious Leaders Africa Region of the World Organization of the Scout Movement Educate a Child Education Above All Foundation The Education Commission EEAS-European External Action Service European Commission – Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations European Parliament intergroup…, #ReopenSchools, “I miss them [teachers and classmates] a lot.” Brithany, 11, Ecuador "[E]very second is important to be able to study," Alisha, 15, Pakistan “All kids around the world should go to school in person.” Favour, 12, South Africa “It’s better to go to school because it’s the gateway to the future.” Darina, 16, Spain

The world is facing a learning crisis. Millions of children and young people are not developing the skills they need to break out of poverty. The growth of technology and the increasingly broad range of actors providing online learning means we can deliver learning opportunities anywhere, at any time. But more than half of the world’s children and…, Are we listening to the Unstoppable?, Fostering partnerships across public and private sectors – and with young people themselves – is the only way to do this. That is why the Reimagine Education initiative is asking partners to come together in a global movement. As this revolution advances around the world, UNICEF is calling for: The most vulnerable children and young people to be…, Resources, Read a review of evidence documenting the effectiveness of digital learning solutions . Check out our  Summary Case for Investment  in digital learning. Download the Reimagine Education brochure . Watch former UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore on the vision to revolutionize education through connectivity and quality digital learning for…

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about UNICEF on our Frequently Asked Questions FAQ page . For more specific questions and contact details, check out the websites of these UNICEF offices: UNICEF Careers Careers UNICEF Regional and Country Offices Headquarters, Regional and Country Offices UNICEF National Committees UNICEF Supply…

Violence, exploitation, discrimination – all everyday threats to the safety of refugee and migrant children and children affected by the horrors of conflict. The dangers to these children have only intensified as countries across the globe have battled the COVID-19 pandemic. As we plan for the future and  reimagine a fairer world for every child,…, Donate to help children unlock their full potential, The children behind the game, It goes without saying that in the real world, these children’s journeys are anything but a game. The challenges Pouya, Sama and Nora have faced – physical and emotional – have required them to draw upon deep reservoirs of strength and determination. But none of this has dulled their passion or optimism. Read about their lives, what motivates them…, How you can make a difference, UNICEF works every day to help make communities more inclusive for refugee and migrant children and ensure they are given a fair chance: from campaigning for the rights of displaced children, to educating and empowering them with new skills and opportunities, to helping them settle into their new lives. When we work together, we can do things…

UNICEF works for the rights of every child, every day, across the globe

UNICEF’s Data Must Speak Initiative (DMS) helps countries unlock existing data to expand access to education and improve learning for all. DMS provides direct technical assistance in Chad, Madagascar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, the Philippines, Togo and Zambia. Our profile cards have also been a source of inspiration in countries like Kenya and Uganda…, Madagascar, In Madagascar, DMS has supported the development, production and use of district and school profile cards that provide comparative education data. The profile cards are shared with policymakers, school management and community members to catalyse discussions on how to improve school performance. General presentation DMS Madagascar .pdf General…, Nepal, In Nepal, DMS helped develop an equity index that can be used to inform government planning and budgeting and direct support to lagging school districts. The Government of Nepal used the index in 2016–17 to identify the five most disadvantaged districts and provide additional funding to reduce the number of out-of-school children in those…, Philippines, In 2016, the Government of the Philippines, with support from DMS, developed a hardship index to determine the level of special allowances to teachers working in the most challenging areas – with the aim of deploying and retaining experienced teachers in disadvantaged schools. The index combines factors of hardship, including travel times,…, Togo, In Togo, DMS has supported the development, production and use of district and school profile cards that provide comparative education data. The profile cards are shared with policymakers, school management and community members to catalyse discussions on how to improve school performance. General presentation of the DMS initiative in Togo Profile…, Zambia, In Zambia, DMS has supported the development, production and use of district and school profile cards that provide comparative education data. The profile cards are shared with policymakers, school management and community members to catalyse discussions on how to improve school performance. General presentation DMS Zambia.pdf General presentation…

To address challenges that keep children from going to school and learning, decision makers need data. Information on who's missing out on education and why is critical for building stronger and more equitable education systems. With reliable data, policymakers, school managers, teachers and communities can identify problems, pose solutions and…, Data Must Speak on the ground, In collaboration with national stakeholders, Data Must Speak develops context-specific tools and resources for understanding education data. These materials can be shared with and adapted for other country settings, arming communities around the world with information on how their schools are resourced and how they perform relative to others…, Related news and stories, Resources, Data Must Speak Formative Evaluation Final Report Positive Deviance Research – UNICEF Office of Research-Innocenti, Contact us, For further information, please contact Nicolas Reuge ( nreuge@unicef.org ).