International Day of Education 2021: Meet the young leaders who are driving quality education through the pandemic

The United Nations’ International Day of Education spotlights Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 and the fundamental right for all young people to have access to quality education.

Inclusive and equitable education can pave the way for future employment and lifelong career opportunities, and contribute to a reduction in poverty, gender inequality and more. COVID-19 has created new barriers to accessing education and young people from every corner of the globe are missing out on vital learning opportunities. Vulnerable communities and marginalised groups are being hit the hardest; it is estimated that more than 1.5 billion children and youth across the globe have been affected by school closures or significant changes to their education. The need for practical, community-based solutions has become more urgent and apparent than ever before.

As we look to the future in 2021, it is imperative that we work to overcome these challenges together and at QCT we are proud to work with and support youth-led education initiatives across the Commonwealth. We work with founders, innovators and entrepreneurs who are delivering initiatives that include providing access to education for women and girls, and delivering a range of skills-based training programmes on leadership, entrepreneurship, critical thinking and computer literacy.

Meet some of the education projects funded by QCT and find out how they have innovated their delivery during the pandemic to continue providing vital education services in their communities:

Guyana Animation Network Inc., Guyana

Jubilanté Cutting founded Guyana Animation Network (GAN) Inc., after discovering a lack of awareness and encouragement for young people in Guyana to pursue the Arts as a career option.

The non-profit organisation works to shine a light on animation and digital art, and provides creative skills training to children and young people. Since their launch in 2016, GAN Inc. has delivered:

• 4 years of digital summer camps which explore digital painting, game development and coding techniques; • Girls In ICT initiatives which empower high school girls through entrepreneurship and innovation skills development; • “Creating Creative Connections” programmes which provide exposure to a variety of local, national and international opportunities in art, film, animation, design and more.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, QCT supported GAN Inc. with emergency funding to deliver virtual training to students enrolled in their programmes, and supported them to make and supply 3D-printed Personal Protective Equipment to frontline workers helping patients in urban, outlying and Indigenous communities in Guyana.

Learn more from Jubilanté about GAN Inc.’s CV-19 response here.

MAYEIN, Nigeria

Edem’s passion to make a positive impact began at the age of 14 when she observed two local six-year-old girls living very different lives in her local community in Oyo State, Nigeria. Whilst one was attending school every day, the other was selling roasted plantains in the street. Seeing the stark contrast in opportunities for these two girls inspired Edem to set up Mentoring Assistance for Youth and Entrepreneurs Initiative (MAYEIN), in 2012.

MAYEIN provides mobile computer classrooms for 4 public secondary schools in Oyo State, delivering practical training sessions and e-literacy lessons on computers and tablets for over 150 students. MAYEIN also brings a mobile library service to local communities, providing storybooks, educational resources, reading activities and a team of mentors to engage and promote equal opportunities in education, positive youth development and gender empowerment. Edem has also established community centres to demonstrate the positive effect of education for the whole family and sustainable ways for local community members to generate household income.

QCT funding is helping Edem to expand MAYEIN through the purchase of a second mobile-library van, a further 15 internet-ready laptops and 20 tablets, as well as hiring two additional staff members.

During the pandemic, MAYEIN was able to provide over 120 school children with computer literacy skills so they could continue to access learning beyond the classroom.

Learn more about MAYEIN here.