Education is one of the best ways of helping communities overcome poverty.
An opportunity to learn means a better, brighter future, yet millions of children never make it to school or drop out before they have even learned to read and write.
Poverty is a huge barrier to education. Often schools are too far away, teaching materials are inadequate, school fees too high, and the pressure too strong on these young people to join the workforce or stay at home doing household chores. And the situation is worst for girls. Girls are less likely to attend school, and more likely to drop out early.
This has to change. School gives girls a chance at life, especially in areas of the world where child marriage, early motherhood and poverty are the only other options. When a girl is educated she is more likely to earn a greater income, is less likely to die from a preventable disease, and is more equipped to protect her health and that of her family.
We know that providing boys and girls with an equal opportunity to access education is vital to breaking the cycle of poverty.
Fast facts
- There are 59.3 million primary school-aged children out-of-school – more than half of them are girls
- Two-thirds of the world’s illiterate adults are women
- Each year of schooling can boost a girl’s future earnings by 10-20 per cent
- Girls who complete secondary school are six times less likely to become child brides
- Over the past four decades, the global increase in women’s education has prevented more than 4 million child deaths
Examples of our education work
- Education in Papua New Guinea – improving access to quality elementary education in remote, disadvantaged communities of Papua New Guinea
- Lafaek Educational Magazine – transforming the future of Timor-Leste
- Multilingual education – reaching ethnic minority groups in Cambodia
- Better Schools in PNG – strengthening the education system in Papua New Guinea
How is CARE supporting a lifetime of learning?
We are working to ensure lifelong opportunities for boys, girls, men and women through projects that make education inclusive and easily accessible.
Removing barriers that keep girls out of school
CARE is working in many communities where girls are expected to stay at home or marry early. Schools funded by CARE in villages in India are helping many girls become the first educated women in their families. With our help, adolescent girls in Ethiopia – most of them child-brides – are now learning. In Vanuatu, we are making sure girls have the support they need to continue going to school when they have their period. Mothers’ Groups in Malawi formed by CARE have been successful in getting girls back in school despite social constraints.
Producing educational materials and training teachers
We partner with schools, local leaders and governments to help improve education systems. In Timor-Leste, we have produced and delivered a much-loved educational magazine for over 15 years. The Lafaek magazines are widely read by both children and adults and support the curriculum whilst also teaching life skills. We are also providing school supplies and equipment, establishing student groups and training teachers in Nicaragua and Cambodia.
Providing education for marginalised groups
We set up community-based education for children, youth and adults in communities where there are no formal schools. In Cambodia, we introduced a multilingual education system to make sure children from remote areas and ethnic groups can go to school for the first time and learn in their native language. We also include children and adults with disabilities and special needs in our education programs.
Training adults
CARE is helping adults with literacy, numeracy, life skills and vocational skills to improve their incomes and overall quality of life. Our programs for farmers, entrepreneurs, and marginalised female workers have achieved positive results in countries such as Cambodia, Vanuatu and Vietnam.
Banner image ©Alana Holmberg/CARE
