Building a future where we all thrive together.

Education is a human right, a public good, and a shared responsibility.

Access to inclusive and quality education and lifelong learning opportunities is crucial for achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty. Without it, millions of children, youth, and adults will be left behind.

This International Day for Education, we’re celebrating inspiring teachers, students, parents, and community members who are building a world where everyone can thrive. When people access education, they access knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to build a better, inclusive, and sustainable future for themselves and their communities.

Setting the foundations for lifelong learning.

Bahati has been teaching at Rasul Akram Early Childhood Development School in Kwale, Kenya, for over 20 years.

She’s one of thousands of teachers supported through the Madrasa Early Childhood Programme (MECP), one of AKF’s flagship education initiatives, for which Canada has been a partner since 1985.

Mwinyi, one of her former students, recently graduated from secondary school. In the short film below, Mwinyi visits his old classroom and looks back on the impact his early years with Teacher Bahati had on his education journey.

Teacher Bahati in her classroom.
In Garam Chashma, where mothers typically take the lead in engaging with their children's school activities, Imtiaz Ahmed is challenging stereotypes by actively participating in his daughter Alina Imtiaz's education. From helping her get ready for school to walking her there every day, he's hands-on with her homework too. Imtiaz also actively joins Parental Engagement and Networking Sessions organized by Aga Khan Education Services Pakistan as part of BEST4WEER in Garam Chashma, Chitral, Pakistan.

Parents are often a child’s first teachers.

In Pakistan, we work with parents to emphasize the importance of early childhood development and enrolling in pre-primary school.

We’re ensuring that children get the best possible start in life, and encourage all parents to take an active role in their children’s development.

After attending sessions at his local community centre, Imtiaz has taken a more active role in his daughter Alina’s childhood, like helping her get ready for school and making sure that she understands and finishes her homework.

Visit the AKF Learning Hub for a free, practical training course designed for parents, caregivers, and people working in early childhood development.

We all have a role to play.

Global citizenship is about recognizing that local actions have global impact.

In Canada, we work with educators to provide resources that help students think beyond borders, building empathy, understanding, and collaboration.

Check out our revamped Inspiring Global Citizens toolkit series, geared towards exploring global issues and the Sustainable Development Goals in the classroom.

Young girls from Chitral Town actively participate in an art competition themed "Expressing Global Warming through Arts," orchestrated by the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board. This event is part of a broader initiative to organize sports and creative arts activities for young women in Chitral, providing them with a platform to not only showcase their talents but also fostering a sense of environmental awareness and advocacy through artistic expression

With support from Canada, we’re building a future where we can all thrive together.

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