Teachers Cannot Wait

Education Cannot Wait celebrates educators in crisis contexts through a special photo collection and continues to prioritize support for teachers

By Education Cannot Wait

October 5^th, 2023

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” ~Nelson Mandela

In emergencies and protracted crises, education not only provides protection and opportunities for children, it also represents hope for a brighter future – one that they have the power to create. With that in mind, it cannot be overstressed how important a role teachers play in crisis contexts.

As we mark World Teachers’ Day, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) honors the teachers around the globe who, despite their circumstances, show up for their students and communities day-in and day-out.

From classrooms in Ethiopia and refugee camps in Bangladesh, to schools in Yemen and indigenous communities in Ecuador, ECW and partners stand with and for these frontline heroes and the children they reach.

Teacher Decko works with students on a writing lesson at an ECW-supported school in Ethiopia. With teachers and partners, the Fund is improving access to education for refugee, IDP and host community children in the country. © Save the Children/Dereje

Teachers are uniquely placed to make a transformative and lasting impact, not just on individual lives, but entire communities and society as a whole. To rebuild a nation, teachers must be trained, empowered and given the psychosocial, material and financial support that they need to keep reaching children and youth left furthest behind in our world.

Despite their crucial roles, there is severe under-investment in the teaching workforce – particularly in crisis settings.

Between irregular payment of salaries, inequitable recruitment, lack of training and professional development and inadequate mental health and psychosocial support, crisis-affected teachers face serious barriers to doing their work effectively.

Education cannot wait, so teachers must not either.

Atusiimire Fausta, a teacher at an ECW-supported primary school in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement, carries out a radio lesson at a radio station to support learners during home learning amidst the pandemic. © Windle International Uganda

Teacher Mona Almatar says her happiest moment was when she "started teaching students" in her region in Yemen. ECW support in the country is reaching children and teachers affected by the ongoing armed conflict and crises. © UNICEF/Fadhel

Teacher Niyakueka Gatluak leads students through a language lesson in school in Tierkidi Refugee Camp. ECW support in Ethiopia is improving access to education for children and reaching crisis-affected teachers with critical support. © UNICEF Ethiopia

Teacher Areej Shaafout speaks to students at their elementary school in Gaza. ECW investments to UNRWA and other partners support access to a safe, inclusive education for children in the State of Palestine. © UNRWA/Khalil Adwan

A teacher in ECW-supported Lubile Primary School in the Democratic Republic of the Congo gets his students engaged in a lesson. ECW investments in the country are reaching out-of-school/displaced children and crisis-affected teachers. © ECW/Justin Makanga

“As we commemorate World Teachers’ Day, ECW honors the sacrifice, compassion and dedication of the world’s teachers.

In the best of circumstances, being a teacher is a challenge.

Now imagine what it is like for teachers in a crisis or conflict-hit area. Teachers walk to school in fear of attack, bombings, abductions, and other forms of violence and threats. They see their schools swept away in floods and sometimes their family wakes up hungry because of climate change-related droughts.

This is the reality facing millions of teachers in the world’s worst humanitarian crises. We must do better. Education Cannot Wait puts teachers at the forefront of everything we do.” ~Yasmine Sherif, ECW Executive Director

(World Teachers' Day Statement )

Tugume Johnan, a teacher in Ematong Primary School in the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, walks into his new accommodation unit – constructed by Windle International Uganda with ECW funding. © Windle International Uganda

Martha Victoria Cajilima, affectionately called "Professor Vicky" by students, is an ECW-supported preschool teacher in Ecuador. She’s passionate, creative and makes her students feel welcome – no matter where they’re from. © UNESCO

After attending the ECW-supported Jesuit Refugee Service training on menstrual hygiene management, Teacher Souhadi felt better prepared to talk with and support female students in his class. © Irene Galera/JRS Chad

ECW-supported Girls' Friendly Spaces in a school in Somalia are helping Teacher Fartun ensure female students don't leave school grounds when they need to rest, speak privately or access menstrual hygiene products. @ Save the Children Somalia

With ECW support, Majd – a Syrian refugee herself – now teaches refugee girls and boys how to work through their fears and anxieties by introducing them to a variety of coping techniques. © NRC Syria/Daniel Wheeler

This World Teachers' Day – and every day – ECW continues its advocacy for and support of teachers affected by armed conflicts, forced displacement and climate-induced disasters.

Teachers are at the very heart of ECW’s mission. Not just for the lessons they impart, but for their perseverance in the face of adversity, their determination to lift up their students and their contribution to shaping sustainable and prosperous futures for us all.

As the backbone of education systems, teachers must be a priority in education in emergencies funding and support – and are a programmatic priority in ECW's new Strategic Plan. Through ECW’s Multi-Year Resilience Programmes, 100% of supported teachers receive training and skills building. This translates to over 140,000 teachers trained since the Fund’s inception.

To date – and thanks to dedicated teachers in classrooms around the world – ECW and partners has reached ~9 million girls and boys with the protection, opportunity and hope of quality education.

Teacher Kamal Hossein works with Yasmina, a student with special needs in her class. Teacher Kamal encouraged Yasmina’s mother to make sure Yasmina attended the learning center more frequently, and now she's thriving. © UNICEF/Bangladesh

Access high-resolution photos from this story and our full media library on ECW’s Flickr.

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