Access to quality and inclusive secondary education

Ensuring all adolescents have the same opportunities to learn and thrive

adolescentes
UNICEF/UN0341608/Pinheiro

Our challenges

Despite Latin American and Caribbean countries' efforts, gaps in access to quality secondary education persist throughout the region1.

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These indicators show that a significant proportion of adolescents will not have the opportunity to learn and develop the skills required to ensure their successful participation in a constantly evolving work environment, especially after the pandemic.

Secondary education, which comprises moderately complex learning, provides educational activities based on primary education that prepare adolescents for university and tertiary education and their entry into the labor market.

What do we do?

Through our global initiative Reimagining Education, we seek to drive the transformation of education in the digital world to ensure that students and schools have:

  • Increased connectivity and access to devices (computers and tablets).
  • World-class digital learning solutions, not only to improve learning outcomes, but also to close the gaps through remote learning opportunities, including in formal, non-formal and informal education.
  • Learning contents adapted to the virtual environment and free educational applications.
  • Opportunities to ensure the active participation of adolescents and youth, including the most marginalized, in decisions regarding the quality and relevance of the teaching-learning process. 
adolescentes estudiantes con un computador portatil abierto, pasaporte de aprendizaje
UNICEF/UN017649/Ueslei Marcelino

We continue to support the development and implementation of policies and programs to foster transferable, digital and work/entrepreneurship-related skills, emphasizing out-of-school and excluded adolescents.

Learn more about our work in secondary education

Out-of-school children and adolescents

A critical situation that has deteriorated because of the pandemic.

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Commitment to teacher training

More continuing professional development opportunities for teachers in the region.

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Equity and inclusion in education

Ensuring no child or adolescent is left behind.

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Access to education

All children and adolescents have the right to education.

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All children and adolescents included in education

Towards equal opportunities and inclusive development.

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Alternative education, more opportunities to thrive

Learn more about alternative education programs for adolescents and young adults.

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Skills development

Equipping children and adolescents with relevant skills to succeed in life.

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Education in the age of connectivity

Learn about our global GIGA initiative.

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Explore our resources

Strategic Framework on Alternative Education

for Out-of-school Adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Read now

Two years after: Saving a generation

First evidence-based assessment of this educational catastrophe in Latin America and the Caribbean

Read now

Education in Latin America and the Caribbean at a crossroads

Regional monitoring report SDG4 - Education 2030.

Read now

Transferable Skills Development

Discussion paper

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1 UNICEF global databases based on Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys, Demographic and Health Surveys, and other national household surveys, 2021.