International Day of Education – A right for all children

Jan. 24, 2020

Boy in Uganda during Can't Wait to Learn_War Child Uganda_190918
Today, more than 32 million children and youth are out of school as a result of armed conflict. Denied their right to an education, exposed to violence - these children often experience mental health and psychological problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety. War Child's Can't Wait to Learn programme addresses this critical education emergency.
Watch video

Can't Wait to Learn in Uganda

Closing the education gap

War Child believes that every child has a right to quality education and that it can play a vital role in strengthening the child’s psychosocial well-being and resilience. Our Can’t Wait to Learn programme not only helps to close the education gap for children affected by conflict but also offers positive psychosocial development. The programme enables children to learn through playing educational games on tablet devices. All content is based on government-approved national curricula and includes both literacy and numeracy modules.

Can't Wait to Learn children in classroom_War Child Uganda_190918

Children in Uganda learning through play with Can't Wait to Learn

Co-creation for a relevant 'learning game world'

The unique part of the programme is that the children are involved in the co-creation of the design of the games - so that the ‘learning game world’ is culturally relevant and therefore immediately familiar to them. This motivates them to participate, engage and ultimately learn more. Research results have shown a significant increase in learning outcomes - in some cases, up to 2.7 times faster than other alternative learning programmes. The results also show major improvements in children’s psychosocial well-being including increased self-esteem and overall confidence and a sense of hope for the future due to new learning abilities.

“The most important thing is their right to an education – one that opens new doors so that they can become strong adults and contribute to society."
Heba

War Child supports the United Nations General Assembly International Day of Education in celebration of the role of education for bringing global peace and sustainable development.