Why the International Day of Education matters

The world marks the International Day of Education every year on January 24. It sounds like something we’ve been doing for decades. In truth, it only began in 2019.

The United Nations created the day in response to persistent education challenges around the world: unequal access to schooling, high illiteracy rates and barriers that were keeping girls, refugees and marginalized children out of school. On January 24, we raise awareness and hold events to address these issues.

Have we made global progress in education since 2019? Yes, but it’s complicated.

The pandemic, increasing conflict and climate-related disasters around the world have profoundly impacted children’s ability to be in school. Over the past decade, more children and young people have enrolled in school and completion rates are rising, which is good. However, the global population of out-of-school children has only decreased by one per cent in that time period. As a result, 272 million children and youth are still not in school worldwide—up from 244 million in 2021.

Even for students who are enrolled, 57 per cent have not reached basic literacy and numeracy. Meanwhile, global funding for education continues to drop.

Talking about education is more important than ever. On January 24, we celebrate the progress made and continue to say: the world’s girls and boys have a right to education. It is essential to ensure our children can both inherit and build a more just and peaceful future. The efforts to improve education for youth must continue.

“I’ve seen the extraordinary power of education to multiply possibilities,” says Andrew Morley, president and CEO of World Vision International. “Children discovering the joy of reading, parents championing learning, teachers creating joyful lessons, and communities and governments working together for every child. When education takes root, hope expands.”

International Day of Education theme for 2026: The power of youth in co-creating education

People under 30 make up over half of the world’s population. Not only are they the main learners in education systems, but they’re passionate drivers of new ideas and social progress. In honour of their unique contributions, the theme announced by UNESCO for 2026 is “the power of youth in co-creating education.”

In 2026 we’re emphasizing the importance of youth voices in how education is planned and improved, especially as digital tools, artificial intelligence and new teaching methods reshape what learning looks like in today’s world.

We don’t have to look far to find young people taking initiative. Just last year, in World Vision’s programs:

• Tanzanian adolescents involved in the AHADI project played a critical role in measuring the project’s results.
• The Refugee Education Council *—a group of youth who have firsthand experiences with displacement and education barriers—released a call for action to protect education during emergencies.
• Participants in our Youth Ready program published a manifesto, positioning themselves as agents of change and advocating for opportunities in higher education, employment, entrepreneurship and more.

Young people are creating change all around us—we need only support and amplify their efforts.

“When we learn, we rise. And when we rise, we do not rise alone; we lift others with us.” –Refugee Education Council, Learning in Crisis, Leading for Peace: A Refugee Education Call for Action

Warda’s story: Knowledge is power

One year ago, 12-year-old Warda was shy and quiet, uncertain about her abilities. Her classmates, especially the boys, convinced her that as a girl, her opinions did not matter. It deeply affected her self-esteem and class participation.

Warda was invited to join AHADI, a project run by World Vision in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in partnership with Global Affairs Canada. She received training in topics like nutrition, gender-based violence, menstrual health and life skills.

“Everything started to change for me,” she says. “The sessions helped me understand that knowledge is power. I started feeling strong inside. I realized that my future depends on the decisions I make today.”

With support from her AHADI leader, Warda took baby steps at school—volunteering to lead group discussions and classroom activities. Over time, she became more confident and actively participated in lessons.

Today, Warda is one of the most confident pupils in her school and a top-performing student in science. She has won the school cleanliness competition twice and actively participates in student clubs. Inspired by her journey, she dreams of becoming a pediatrician so she can help children who lack access to quality healthcare and serve as a role model for other girls.

Some kids are born with seemingly unshakable confidence. Many more are born with leadership potential that needs to be protected and nurtured. We can’t wait to see how Warda grows.

Why education is critical in fragile and low-income regions

As we know, education is important for all children, for many reasons. In low-income countries and fragile settings, schools offer more than a chance to acquire knowledge. They offer protection, keep routines steady during upheaval, help break down social barriers, and open pathways toward decent work and independence.

Since young people make up a huge share of the population in these settings, their involvement in educational systems can help shape entire countries for decades.

1. Education advances gender equality.

When girls can stay in school, they’re more likely to make decisions about their own futures and less likely to end up in an early marriage or pregnancy. Education helps improve gender equality by challenging harmful stereotypes that limit what girls can do at home, at work and in their communities. Neha and Teriano offer wonderful of examples of what young women can accomplish when they have the chance to finish their education.

2. Education helps break the cycle of poverty.

It opens pathways that may not have been available to a child’s parents or grandparents. It teaches them to think critically and solve problems creatively. Equipping children with core skills in reading, writing, math and communication keeps them out of poverty by preparing them for decent work and helps them adapt when the job market inevitably changes.

3. Education creates stability during times of crisis.

During disaster, safe learning spaces can protect children and bring back routine when life is chaotic. Continued learning opportunities help prevent refugees and displaced youth from falling behind, and can help them cope with trauma and stress.

4. Education strengthens social ties and helps build more just societies.

School can bring children from different backgrounds together—even those from groups who’ve been in conflict. When teaching includes life skills and peacebuilding, it can equip young people to lead the way in building trust, cohesion and social justice in their communities.

Responding to a survey by the Refugee Education Council, a young Congolese refugee living in Uganda explained this beautifully:

“I remember one activity where we had to work in mixed groups to write a play about peace. It was the first time I truly spoke with a boy from a group I was taught to fear. We ended up becoming friends and I saw how much fear disappears when you understand someone. A strong education system doesn’t just teach math or reading, it teaches us how to live together.”

How does World Vision Canada support the International Day of Education?

World Vision works to ensure girls and boys have knowledge and skills they need to lead fulfilling, productive lives. Our programs support children of all ages, along with their families, schools, communities and governments. We:

• Provide safe, inclusive learning spaces and support children most at risk, including refugees, displaced children, and children with disabilities.
• Train parents and caregivers to build early reading and math skills at home, starting in early childhood.
• Help children become confident readers by the end of primary school.
• Mentor adolescents with life skills and connect them to job prep, entrepreneurship programs and vocational training.
• Train and support teachers (alongside ministries of education) to use child-centred, gender-responsive, inclusive teaching methods.
• Support learning in crisis settings with catch-up education, mental health and psychosocial support so children can stay in or return to school.

In 2025, our education programs reached over 1.4 million people worldwide, thanks to supporters in Canada. Here are some highlights:

• 38,341 youth —20,978 female and 17,363 male—participated in life skills training through World Vision programs.
• 185,976 children, including 93,570 girls, attended in-school or after-school literacy activities.
• 3,710 children and adolescents who had dropped out of school re-enrolled or joined non-formal education opportunities like vocational programs.
• 21,102 caregivers were trained in ways of supporting their children's reading skills.
• 423 new early childhood development centres were established with the support of World Vision programs.

How Canadians can support the International Day of Education 2026

Become a World Vision child sponsor

Our child sponsorship programs help communities to address their challenges so that children can grow up healthy and secure, able to learn and grow as they should. We take a holistic approach to community development, focusing on areas like education, health, livelihoods, water and more. Learn more.

Become a Real ImpactTM partner

In regions affected by chronic instability, conflict, violence and poverty, Real ImpactTM partners ensure that no child is left behind. Learn more.

Support children’s education with a single gift

A tangible education-focused gift can keep children in school and improve their learning conditions. Consider one of the ideas below—perhaps given in honour of your favourite teacher.

• Uniforms and Clothes
• Books for Children
• Educational Toys and Games
• School Supplies
• Sports Equipment
• Sports Balls

Get involved in your community

Opportunities to help are endless, including here in Canada. You can celebrate the International Day of Education in many ways—for example, becoming a reading buddy, joining your school council, or organizing a donation drive for classroom supplies.

*The Refugee Education Council is hosted by World Vision Canada in collaboration with the Canadian International Education Policy Working Group (CIEPWG), and funded by the Government of Canada.

Written by Katie Hackett with files from Christant Kitaka. This article has been updated to including 2025 program results data.