Education

At TOFI, we believe that every child has the right to quality education—an essential tool for breaking the cycle of poverty. Our education programs are strategically integrated into both long-term development and emergency response initiatives, aiming to provide children in extreme poverty with meaningful learning opportunities and a foundation for lifelong well-being. Our Focus Areas TOFI’s education initiatives concentrate on three core priorities:

1. Expanding Access to Education, especially in emergency contexts.
2. Improving Education Quality and enhancing learning outcomes.
3. Promoting the Well-being of Learners and Educators.

This comprehensive approach ensures that education is not only accessible but also impactful, empowering children to overcome social, economic, and systemic barriers. The Educational Landscape: Challenges We Address The global education crisis continues to deprive millions of children of their right to learn. Key challenges include:

• Nearly 1.5 million primary school-aged children lack basic reading and writing skills.
• Over 50% of children aged 3 to 7 do not have access to pre-primary education.
• Around 800,000 refugee children are at risk of losing educational opportunities.
• Approximately 200,000 children will miss out on school enrollment, with two-thirds of them being girls.
• Children with disabilities are 40% more likely to have never attended school.

Behind these statistics are individual stories of children facing daily adversity, stigma, and discrimination—often stemming from education systems that are unequipped to support diverse learning needs. Our Approach

1. Enhancing Education Access Through Community Engagement

Community involvement is central to our strategy. We work alongside local structures to strengthen school systems and promote inclusive education. One key initiative is the development and support of Community-Based School Management Committees. These committees are essential in ensuring schools remain operational, responsive to children’s needs, and accessible to all—especially in crisis-affected areas. In times of emergency, education is frequently deprioritized. The effects of prolonged school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with setbacks in gender equality, have deepened the global education crisis. TOFI advocates for a unified, long-term, and cross-sectoral response—one that centers children and commits to restoring and advancing educational access and quality.

2. Improving Learning Outcomes with EGRA

Globally, over 300 million school-age children lack foundational skills in literacy and numeracy. These deficits lead to high dropout rates and hinder academic progress. TOFI addresses this challenge through the implementation of the Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA)—a proven tool for measuring, improving, and tracking literacy levels. EGRA is especially utilized in vulnerable and crisis-affected communities to ensure that even the most marginalized learners are equipped with essential reading skills at the earliest stages of education. Our vision on education TOFI’s education programs are rooted in the belief that education is more than a right—it is a powerful driver of equity, empowerment, and lasting change. By working collaboratively with communities, educators, and global partners, we strive to ensure that every child, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.