The War Child Alliance is proud to announce that its flagship education program, Can’t Wait to Learn (CWTL), has been awarded the prestigious Yidan Prize for Education Development—the highest global accolade in education. This recognition underscores the program's innovative approach to providing quality education for children affected by conflict, a mission that has driven its success over the past 13 years.
Born out of collaboration with communities, governments, researchers, and education experts, Can’t Wait to Learn has proven that children in even the most complex and challenging environments can thrive in their learning. The program has significantly improved literacy and numeracy outcomes for over 205,000 children across eight countries, including Sudan, Lebanon, and Ukraine, and continues to expand its reach.
"As the world evolves, so must education. The Yidan Prize champions changemakers and innovative solutions that advance education in a rapidly changing world. The exceptional achievements of our 2024 laureates are critical in preparing the next generations for an uncertain future," said Dr Chen Yidan, Yidan Prize Founder.
A Groundbreaking Collaborative Effort
At the heart of Can’t Wait to Learn is a co-creation model that brings together a diverse range of partners, including Ministries of Education, local and national organizations, and communities themselves. Together, they have built a program that not only focuses on learning outcomes but is also grounded in rigorous research.
Luke Stannard, current Program Director of Can’t Wait to Learn, reflects on the importance of collaboration in the program’s success:
“We are incredibly honored to receive the Yidan Prize, and we do so on behalf of a lot of people. This prize reflects more than a decade of dedication from countless collaborators. The commitment of everyone involved to children and to research that improves how we support children's learning is what has made Can’t Wait to Learn the effective intervention it is today. Ultimately, this prize is for the children that we serve – for their strength, resilience, audacity, and courage,” says Luke.
In addition to improving foundational learning, Can’t Wait to Learn has shown resilience in the face of humanitarian crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Supported by governments and backed by extensive research, the program has continuously adapted to meet the needs of children in conflict-affected areas.
"Can't Wait to Learn's innovative, iterative, and collaborative approach shows that thoughtfully designed and deployed educational technology, as well as culturally and contextually relevant educational content can significantly enhance access to quality and equitable learning opportunities for the most marginalized children. This broad-based approach not only works in tandem with national curricula but also responds to the realities faced by the most vulnerable," said Dorothy K. Gordon, head of the Yidan Prize for Education Development judging panel.
This award marks not only a milestone for War Child’s education initiatives but also a moment to honor the many individuals who have been part of Can’t Wait to Learn's journey. From its founding Program Director, Kate Radford, to the current leadership, including Professor Mark Jordans and Marwa Zahr, the program's success is a shared achievement.
With the Yidan Prize, War Child will continue to scale Can’t Wait to Learn, aiming to reach half a million children by 2028, ensuring that even in the most challenging contexts, children can access the education they deserve.
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