Transforming education in Eritrea

Eritrea has significantly increased the number of schools and teachers over the last decade, but enrollment has fluctuated, and many children are out of school. For those in school, learning is lagging: in 2018, 65% of grade 5 students met the national minimum competency requirements for mother-tongue literacy, 45% for English literacy and 9% for math.

As outlined in Eritrea’s Partnership Compact, the government is working with GPE and other partners to ensure quality foundational teaching and learning for all girls and boys.

Interventions are aligned with Eritrea’s Education Sector Plan 2022-2026 and aim to improve school readiness, improve foundational literacy and numeracy, and enhance sector efficiency and leadership with a focus on equity.

To make sure children are ready to learn when they enter primary school, Eritrea will continue expanding early childhood education, prioritizing inclusive infrastructure, play-based teaching and learning materials, and parent and community awareness programs.

Upskilling teachers will address the high number of untrained teachers and improve instruction and classroom management.

Additional system improvements include professional development for school leadership, better education data collection and use, and strengthened monitoring and assessment of learning.

A focus on girls’ education seeks to tackle barriers with gender-responsive support, especially for the poorest girls living in remote areas.

Result story

Building schools, building lives in Eritrea: Meet Rekia

  • Since 2013, GPE has been supporting Eritrea’s Ministry of Education and UNICEF to improve access to quality education.
  • Now children living in rural and nomadic communities like 10-year-old Rekia have better opportunities to learn in an environment that supports their educational needs.
  • Thanks to the efforts the future looks brighter for more children.

Key data

28%

of children start learning one year before entering primary school

Grants

(data as of December 13, 2024)

 
  • Type: System transformation

    Years: 2024 - 2027

    Allocation: US$11,820,000

    Utilization: 0

    Grant agent: UNICEF

  • Type: System capacity

    Years: 2024 - 2027

    Allocation: US$2,200,000

    Utilization: 0

    Grant agent: UNICEF

  • Type: Program development

    Years: 2024 - 2025

    Allocation: US$153,480

    Utilization: 0

    Grant agent: UNICEF

  • Type: Program implementation

    Years: 2020 - 2025

    Allocation: US$17,200,000

    Utilization: US$3,575,514

    Grant agent: UNICEF

Knowledge and innovation

Learn more

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