Our Approach

Despite record enrolment, the world faces a learning crisis. Today, seven in ten children in low- and middle-income countries cannot read and understand a simple text by age 10. Meeting this challenge requires people as well as infrastructure. By 2030, education systems will need 44 million additional teachers, including 15 million in Sub-Saharan Africa. And while research shows that school leadership is the second most important factor influencing learning, fewer than half of leadership programmes cover the essentials. 

Partnering for systemic change 

We work with ministries of education—the duty bearers of the right to education—to co-create long-term solutions. By working through government systems, our approaches are embedded, scalable and sustainable. 

Grounded in evidence 

Every programme integrates monitoring, evaluation and research. Our approaches are tested, refined and validated, giving governments confidence in solutions that are effective, cost-efficient and adaptable to context. 

Connecting across borders 

Learning poverty, teacher shortages and leadership gaps transcend borders. VVOB connects governments, research institutions and civil society to exchange knowledge and evidence. These connections accelerate innovation and strengthen education worldwide. 

Focused expertise 

Our flagship initiatives tackle persistent barriers head-on: 

• Gender-transformative Pedagogy, to dismantle stereotypes and create inclusive classrooms.
• Effective School Leadership, to enable great teaching and learning.
• Skilling for Sustainable Futures, to prepare youth for decent work and climate-resilient societies. 

Value-driven collaboration 

Quality, integrity, respect, commitment and innovation is at the heart of everything we do. With Learning Unlimited.—our 2030 strategy—we are ready to adapt to a fast-changing world while staying true to our strengths: government partnership, a focus on teachers and school leaders, and evidence as our guide. 

Download Learning Unlimited.