As we commemorate the International Day of Education on January 24, 2026, we acknowledge the progress made in widening access to learning while recognizing the challenges that call us to protect and prioritize education as one of the most powerful tools for social, economic, human, and environmental development.
Across the world, young people are raising their voices and taking ownership of their education. They are not only learners, but active contributors shaping how education responds to today’s realities and tomorrow’s needs. Their engagement strengthens learning journeys and builds confidence, agency, and responsibility.
According to UNESCO, “267 million young people aged 15–24 are currently not in education, employment, or training (NEET).
This reality underscores the importance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in equipping youth with practical skills for work, sustainable livelihoods, and participation in inclusive societies. With a growing focus on digital, green, and life skills, TVET offers pathways to address global challenges while unlocking young people’s potential.”
However, many young people still face job insecurity and limited opportunities. By creating more pathways for youth to shape their own futures—whether through skills training or careers in teaching— we can help them succeed and encourage transformative change. Young people are not waiting for solutions; they are co-creating education through collaboration, innovation, and leadership.
As members of the Federation Humana People to People (HPP), Planet Aid supports education that inspires curiosity, encourages exploration, and builds global citizenship. HPP programs bridge educational gaps, promote equity, and empower learners to become active citizens and agents of change within their communities. Education, in our approach, extends far beyond the classroom, fostering self-reliance, cooperation, and social transformation.
In response to these challenges and opportunities, HPP partnered with AUDA-NEPAD to launch the Africa Skills Revolution Campaign in 2024. The campaign showcases the vast potential of Africa’s youth, supports them in discovering their vocations, and works to reshape perceptions around TVET across the continent.
Despite its promise, TVET still faces barriers, including stigma and a lack of visible role models. Yet every day, we witness a powerful entrepreneurial spirit across our 16 technical and vocational colleges in Africa, which have supported more than 30,000 graduates over the past 30 years in building meaningful livelihoods.
Entrepreneurship has long been rooted in Africa, playing a key role in social and economic growth. As HPP collaborates with young people, they help turn their ideas into real opportunities that benefit their futures and communities.
In Malawi, DAPP Malawi’s Mikolongwe Vocational School has equipped over 14,000 young people since 1997 with skills to thrive, not just survive. From welding and renewable energy to agribusiness and fashion design, students graduate as innovators, entrepreneurs, and job creators. Through the Business Incubation Centre, young people turn ideas into sustainable enterprises that benefit their communities.
Similarly, Mkushi College of Education in Zambia, operated by DAPP Zambia, trains primary school teachers with a strong emphasis on rural schools where the need is greatest. Student teachers actively engage in shaping their learning, developing both professional skills and a passion for education. The program encourages innovative teaching methods and promotes the values of global citizenship. Over the past 14 years, the college has graduated more than 450 teachers, reaching over 4,500 learners during their school experience and teaching practice.
As we mark the International Day of Education, we see how initiatives like the Africa Skills Revolution are creating ripples, laying strong foundations for young people to realize their potential and contribute positively to society.
Together with our fellow HPP members, we believe that the future can be transformed when young people are inspired, empowered, and trusted to co-create education. By developing relevant skills and fostering responsibility and solidarity, education becomes a powerful driver for peace, sustainable development, and lasting change.
Planet Aid thanks our donors for helping fund global development projects in education and skills training by donating used clothes at our yellow bins and donation centers.