Education

We advance children’s right to get an education.

The Top Four Barriers To Girl's Education

We help support children from preschool to high school and beyond. We break down barriers, and we especially focus on leveling the playing field for girls. Why? Because one additional year of school can increase a woman’s earning by up to 20 percent.

We’re not just shaping young minds; we’re investing in a brighter, more promising future. And we’re dedicated to tearing down four of the top barriers for girls.

1. Child, early and forced marriage and early pregnancy. Married girls are four times more likely not to finish school and are more likely to experience complications from pregnancy and childbirth and be exposed to gender-based violence.

2. Violence and Harassment. When girls walk long distances to school, they can experience violence or endure harassment. Every year, roughly 60 million girls are sexually assaulted on their way to school or at school.

3. Gender Inequality: At home, girls are often asked to put their books aside and help with family care and housework, taking away precious learning time.

4. Crisis and conflict. In conflict zones, girls are more than 1.5 times more likely to be excluded from primary school and almost 2.5 times more likely to be out of school.

Check this out!

One out of every five children isn’t in school. In the poorest countries, it’s even worse. It’s one in three and girls bear the brunt of this.

Thirty-five percent of primary school-age children, 25 percent of lower secondary adolescents, and 18 per cent of upper secondary youth live in conflict-affected areas where their access to education often vanishes, leaving millions of children without this fundamental right.

More than 258 million children, teens and young adults are missing out on their fundamental right to receive an education.

Here’s one compelling story that makes the case.

“I want to learn here and be a great woman in society and I believe that I can do it through education.” – Poria

Sixteen-year-old Poria is raising the bar high for herself and her friends in Kenya. In this short film, she explains how the unexpected offer of a kind neighbour set her on a course to transform herself and her community.

Our Approach

Gender-transformative education opportunities, teacher training and measurement

Girls should have the same shot at education as anyone else. Here’s what we do to ensure that happens:

We help to make sure that girls can get to school easily and safely.
Families and communities are our partners. Together, we rally around a collective commitment to education for boys and girls.
We work with national and local education authorities to ensure children’s rights and gender equality are built into the system.
Our gender-responsive teacher training guides teachers in building equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students.
We help educators recognize and tackle their own biases and prejudices, ensuring that no student gets left behind because of stereotypes or discrimination.
Our training promotes awareness of gender-related issues and equips teachers with strategies to create a setting where everyone feels valued and respected.
We refurbish school spaces, offer support like cash and vouchers and we also provide nutritious school meals, supply classroom materials and organize school clubs to keep children engaged.

Accelerated Learning

Children miss school for all sorts of reasons, from conflict, illness to lack of money. Our Accelerated Learning programs teach literacy and math skills in a condensed timeframe so students can cover multiple grades and get caught up with their peers.

Education in Emergencies

Plan International Canada’s Education in Emergencies (EiE) program provides gender-transformative and inclusive education options that cater to the unique needs of children caught in the chaos of a humanitarian or climate crisis. Adolescent girls often at the greatest risk.

Here are 5 reasons why Education in Emergencies is so critical:

It gives children a safe place where they’re protected from physical harm, early marriages and from being forced into child soldier roles.

Children learn about things that could save their lives, like how to prevent diseases, eat healthy and stay clean.

Beyond ABC’s, children learn essential life skills like tolerance and handling conflict, And, they also learn about democracy, gender equality, human rights, environmental sustainability and disaster preparedness.

It’s a stabilizing influence that promotes children’s mental and emotional well-being.

Our Education Projects

Americas Africa Asia View country List

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Our Impact

The Past Five Years

Our five biggest wins [Include numbers from AR]

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Our Partners in Education

Thank to Our Partners

We extend our thanks to our partners who consistently and generously support education around the world. Your contributions are the foundation of our mission, enabling us to help transform the lives of children worldwide. Without you, none of this would be possible.