Over the past five years we have supported almost 3,500,000 children to access the quality education they deserve.
Education should be the right of all children, no matter who they are or where they are from. Yet millions of children around the world are being denied the basic education that would give them a fair start in life.
Right now, with over one billion children impacted by ongoing school closures due to COVID-19, we're focusing on keeping children safe, ensuring they don't get left behind, and supporting them as some prepare to return to the classroom.
Our COVID-19 response in education
We’re committed to leaving no child behind. That’s why our projects focus on ensuring that those children who are most at risk of missing out – including girls, those with disabilities, refugees, and those living in disaster- or conflict-affected areas – are able to benefit from a quality education.
We focus on early childhood education (ECE) and basic literacy and numeracy skills, laying the foundations for children to have a brighter future. By investing in children at this crucial time in their development, our programmes build resilience for later in life.
Our work supporting education
Education system strengthening
Developing inclusive education systems that leave no child behind.
Education in emergencies
Building resilient education systems in fragile spaces.
Our projects
Find out more about our current and former projects helping to ensure inclusive education for all.
Where we support inclusive education initiatives
Stories from education
Breaking down stereotypes of people with disabilities
15 years old Nisha is a resident of Sakraul, Nepal. She lives with a disability and has difficulty in walking. People in her community used to call her names which hurt her feelings and broke her confidence down. Now she's returned to school and the communities sees that she can do anything.
The right climate to learn
Across the countries where VSO works, we see children and young people increasingly experience the effects of climate change on their health, wellbeing and access to education. With climate change set to worsen, we know they are likely to experience more devastating consequences during their lifetimes.
How technology is improving early grade children’s learning in Sierra Leone
Michael Conteh, a Sierra Leonean national aged 31 years, is volunteering on the Unlocking Talent through Technology project in his home country. Read about his experience helping to improve and accelerate learning outcomes for early school years children.