Millions of children are being robbed of an education simply because of who they are or where they live. Deprived of learning because they are caught up in emergencies, face extreme poverty, or are discriminated against because of their gender, disability or ethnicity. The world's most vulnerable and excluded children are missing out on education.
Without a quality basic education, children are less likely to escape the cycle of poverty and may never have the opportunity to fulfill their potential.
We work to ensure all children get the support and care they need before they start school, and that they are able to read and write. We also work to ensure that schools are places where all children are safe and happy.
A child's early years are crucial for building the foundations for a life of learning. We work with communities to create safe and stimulating preschool environments, to keep children well-fed and healthy, and to take teaching materials into homes so the whole family can support a child's education.
We work with national and local governments to improve access to education and develop programmes where children can improve their literacy and numeracy skills at an early age.
We also provide education in times of conflict or in the aftermath of a natural disaster to ensure children don't have their education interrupted or ended early.
In 2022, we reached 9.2 million children through our education programmes. One of these children is Abida* from Niger.
When Abida was 13, she was forced to marry a man more than twice her age. She spent her days looking after her two small children, collecting water, cleaning and preparing food for her family.
But Abida's life transformed when she was able to enrol in our Literacy Boost programme, which helps children who have dropped out of school get back on track.
Today, she is learning to read and write, as well as learning maths and other basic life skills. She is hopeful for her future.
