International Day of Education
by Anera
Posted in: Days of Observance
Celebrated every year on January 24, the day acknowledges the critical importance of education within society.
2025
On World Education Day 2025, we celebrate the power of education and artificial intelligence in building a brighter future. With knowledge and innovation, children can rebuild their communities and maintain the human role in a technology-driven world. Let us work together to invest in education for a better future for children, youth, and our communities.
In Gaza, against the odds some children are still finding ways to continue their learning. Determined to keep education alive even in the darkest moments, we established temporary learning spaces and provided educational resources from our Hayya Naqra (”Let’s Read”) literacy initiative. This program, already a cornerstone of Anera’s work in Gaza, has provided children and families with some of the materials they need for learning, and returning to sort of normalcy.
With the ceasefire now in place, Anera is shifting from emergency response to recovery and rebuilding. Our next steps focus on scaling up temporary learning spaces and expanding access to Hayya Naqra kits.
A Brief History of the International Day of Education
On Dec. 3, 2018, the United Nations proclaimed Jan. 24 as the International Day of Education. This day celebrates education’s vital role in cultivating peace and development throughout nations. The International Day of Education, also called International Education Day, supports inclusive, equitable and quality education for all.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization defines education as a human right, a public responsibility and a public good. This international observance day reinforces the critical position of education in building sustainable, resilient societies and fostering peace across the globe. The International Day of Education highlights education’s role as a foundation for transformation, creating space to discuss its meaningful role in the lives of young people and how we can help increase access and opportunity.
Continuing Education Programs Despite the Pandemic
For many countries in the Middle East, gaps in access to education are widening, especially for students already facing deep educational disparities, such as students of color, students with disabilities and English learners.
These gaps in education are often created by strained education systems. For example, in Palestine, there is a lack of infrastructure, which is exacerbated by regional conflict. For the poorest households in Palestine, an inability to access adequate technology and learning materials prevents many children from continuing their education. In Lebanon, the struggling education system most heavily impacts refugees, which make up about a third of its population and mostly come from Syria.
Anera works to increase access to education, creating programs that deliver employable skills and experiences to the most vulnerable communities. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the world shifted to relying more on virtual platforms, we adapted aspects of many of our programs to online formats, providing our students with the means necessary to access their education both in-person and at home.
Here are some of the education programs we provide:
Educational opportunities for women and girls: When women and girls have access to educational and economic opportunities, they invest in their communities and improve the lives of everyone around them. Meet some of the girls and young women studying in Burj El Barajneh Refugee Camp.
Coding classes: Our PLUS coding classes bring students together for 20 weeks of training and team-building. The students graduate professional software engineers with market-ready, adaptable coding skills and “soft” skills essential to the industry. Meet the Palestinian coders and developers building the future from Palestine.
Technology for at-home learning in Lebanon: In Lebanon, we provide thousands of young people with free vocational training opportunities, apprenticeships, and cash-for-work opportunities. To bolster access to vocational education, we launched 11 online English pilot classes in Lebanon and distributed tablets, laptops and internet data cards to students and teachers, ensuring safe at-home learning. Learn about our vocational training opportunities in Lebanon.
Laptop access for Jordanian students: To help young Jordanian students gain access to education, we distributed Thaki laptops to students in our 12-month after-school, non-formal education program. Along with safe access to online learning, many of these students learned how to use laptops for the first time and access new capabilities. See how students are using these resources to continue their education.
Preschools in Palestine: Our Right Start program supports holistic early childhood development in Palestine, helping these young students learn skills like critical thinking, tolerance and understanding. This wide-reaching program involves “pilot” preschools that serve as models, renovations to existing preschools and teacher training. Learn how we’re creating vibrant early childhood education in Palestine.
Learn More About Anera’s Educational Programs Today
The International Day of Education shows us that education is a vital part of building vibrant, sustainable and peaceful futures.
We continue to offer a wide range of education programs, meeting the needs of students of all ages in the countries we serve. . With your support, you can give people in Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan access to learning opportunities from preschool through college. Read more about our educational programs to see how your support helps students in the Middle East.
2023: To Invest in People, Prioritize Education
2022: Changing Course, Transforming Education
By Saniah Naim
January 24th is International Day of Education, a day to celebrate inclusive and equitable quality education, and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Here at Anera, we make it a priority to quickly adapt our educational programs as COVID-19 forces people indoors.
Here are three ways Anera’s education programs continue despite the pandemic.
- When women and girls have access to educational and economic opportunities, they invest in their communities and improve the lives of everyone around them. Meet some of the 30 girls and young women studying in Burj El Barajneh Refugee Camp.
- Under normal, non-COVID circumstances, our PLUS coding students would be coming together in person for 20 weeks of training and team-building. Anera adapted the program for the new cohorts of students from across the West Bank and Gaza by moving it entirely to online learning. Meet the Palestinian coders and developers building the future from Palestine.
- During the ongoing economic and refugee crises, we weren’t going to give up on the thousands of young people who depend on our free-of-charge vocational courses and the income opportunities that come with them. Anera launched 11 online English pilot classes in Lebanon, distributed tablets, laptops and internet data cards to students and teachers ensuring safe at home learning. Learn how COVID-19 won’t stop Anera’s education programs in Lebanon.
With your support, you can give people in Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan access to learning opportunities from preschool through college.
Read more about our educational programs.
