Top 5 country journeys of 2025

Five stories that showcase the power of education to change lives and multiply possibilities for children in GPE partner countries—from Ukraine to Nigeria, and from Syria to Cambodia and Guatemala.

December 16, 2025 by GPE Secretariat

3 minutes read

As we reflect on 2025, we are proud to have shared inspiring stories about how partner countries have made significant progress in improving learning for hundreds of millions of girls and boys.

GPE partner countries continue to make significant progress in education, helping children acquire the skills they need to thrive in the 21^st century.

From Ukraine to Nigeria, and from Syria to Cambodia and Guatemala, the five stories below illustrate the power of education to transform lives and multiply possibilities for all children.

Click on a photo to read the story

Ukraine
Cambodia
Guatemala
Syria
Nigeria

Ukraine: Education brings mental health support to children

The war in Ukraine has affected the well-being of five million school-age children.

GPE and partners are helping increase the capacity of Ukraine’s educators to provide children with mental health services.

More than 60,000 education professionals have been trained in psychosocial support and school safety to reinforce children’s well-being.

Read the story

Cambodia: Sustainable practices for a stronger teaching workforce

For more than 10 years, Cambodia has worked to improve student learning by strengthening teacher education and building a strong teacher workforce.

Development partners have worked closely with the government in alignment with national policy and planning, leading to stronger capacity and meaningful reforms.

By making effective teaching practices a part of the system, the government can sustain this progress under its own budget in the long term.

Read the story

Digital learning opens doors for Guatemalan youth, one click at a time

In Huehuetenango, where education access is low and many adolescents and youth see migration as their only path, digital learning centers are equipping students like Meybelin with the skills to build a future at home.

With support from the Ministry of Education, GPE, UNICEF and local municipalities, 34 Virtual Learning Environments are offering technology, tutoring and digital skills training in underserved communities across Guatemala.

By building digital skills and exposing youth to technology in a safe environment, Virtual Learning Environments are opening new pathways for future economic opportunities – and helping rewrite the story for children who once saw their futures far from home.

Read the story

Syria: A back-to-school moment like no other

Syria's 14-year conflict created significant barriers for children to access quality education—but since 2020, support from GPE has enabled thousands to learn in safe environments.

Non-formal education pathways have brought out-of-school children into classrooms, helping them catch up on lost learning and develop skills to transition to formal education.

Amid Syria’s recent transition, the start of a new school year is more than an academic milestone; it marks a commitment to peace, resilience and the future of Syria’s children.

Read the story

Rising together: How Nigerian schools are meeting the needs of refugee and host students

Cameroonian refugee children arriving at schools in Nigeria faced overcrowded classrooms, a shortage of teachers and a lack of basic supplies—making learning difficult.

A GPE-funded program implemented by Save the Children is transforming schools across five states, supporting both refugee and host community students.

These efforts support the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Education’s broader response to the education crisis among refugee children.

Read the story