Education
We support every child’s right to learn with access to inclusive and equitable quality education.
Challenge
Every child has the right to learn.
While tremendous progress has been made to improve enrolment rates in South Asia and get every child in school, the heartbreaking reality is that too many children are not actually learning, in particular foundational skills, even when they are in the classroom.
Classrooms in South Asia are often teacher-centered, where children are expected to learn by memorizing and repetition.
Children across the region are not mastering the basic reading and writing, or maths skills they need to continue progressing in school and in life. This is at the heart of South Asia’s learning crisis.
Opportunity
Education, in particular foundational learning, is a basic human right and is vital for the growth and well-being of children, youth, and societies as a whole.
When a child learns at least the basics, they can help break the cycle of poverty, be a part of a thriving workforce and economy, and an active member of their community and country.
Every child and young person must be supported to learn and develop meaningful skills in a safe and inclusive environment, regardless of who they are or where they live.
What UNICEF is doing
We are committed to making sure every child can realize their right to quality education, particularly the most marginalized, including girls, children with disabilities and ethnic minorities.
UNICEF is working with governments and partners in the region to provide evidence-based quality learning opportunities that prepare children and adolescents with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive.
UNICEF builds regional partnerships with the public and private sector to bolster commitments and accountability to make sure every child is learning. We facilitate cooperation between the public and private sector across the region to advocate, train and share knowledge on improving education and training systems.
Key areas of our education work include:
Programme focus areas
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the pre-existing learning crisis. UNICEF promotes RAPID actions to improve foundational learning: Reach every child and keep them in school; Assess learning levels regularly; Prioritize teaching the fundamentals; Increase the efficiency of instruction; and Develop psychosocial health and well-being
To promote early childhood development and early learning in South Asia, UNICEF generates knowledge and evidence to support early childhood development (ECD) programmes. We support countries to scale up their efforts in this area, through promoting nurturing care for ECD and strengthening early childhood education for young children’s optimal development and learning.
UNICEF supports countries in the region to reduce the number of out-of-school children and adolescents through data analyses and documentation of good practices.
UNICEF works to connect millions of children and young people to digital learning so they can leapfrog to a brighter future. This includes closing the digital divide, especially for girls, and increasing access to digital learning solutions and connectivity, to support the most marginalized children and youth with the skills they need.
Conflict, global health crises and natural disasters spare no children. UNICEF works to provide uninterrupted, safe and quality education for children affected by crises (climate, conflict, natural and climate disasters and other emergencies, including girls affected by political context) in South Asia.
Investing in girls’ education transforms communities, strengthens economies and reduces inequality. UNICEF works with communities, governments and partners to remove barriers to make sure that every girl, no matter who they are or where they live, can learn in a safe and supportive environment.
Resources
These resources represent a selection of materials produced by UNICEF and its partners in the region. The list is regularly updated to include the latest information.
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