25 Eye-opening Photos of Classrooms Around the World

Classrooms around the world may look amazingly different - but they have a lot in common too! Hands in the air, pens at the ready, whispering at the back.

What happens inside a classroom can change a child’s life forever. An educated child has the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty. When you think about it, education is humanity’s greatest renewable resource.

But right now, there are 258 million children who won’t go to school this morning. Who won’t go to school on any morning.

Education is a human right, but it isn’t yet available to all the world’s children.

We’re rejoicing that as part of the Compassion programme, children are given the uniforms, fees and equipment to attend primary school. Plus, they receive extra educational support and lessons at their church-driven Compassion project!

Enjoy our fascinating tour of classrooms from some of the countries where Compassion works.

Ethiopia classrooms

Getting an education in Ethiopia can be challenging for children. Gender discrimination, poverty, drought, food insecurity, and lack of parental education contribute to high dropout rates.

classroom in Mexico

Education is compulsory for children in Mexico and it is considered to be the key to a better future, however in many cases it is still a struggle to get students enrolled. Here, sponsored children in Mexico explore their artistic side in a classroom at their Compassion project.

classroom in Nicaragua

Education is free in Nicaragua, yet the cost of school supplies and limited transport options make it difficult for children in rural areas to get to school.

classroom in Honduras

Learning to love reading is a skill for life, and this boy in Honduras is getting a great start. Yet there are 617 million young people who cannot read or do basic maths.

classroom in Kenya

Children in the richest 20 percent of the population get nearly nine more years of schooling, on average, than children in the poorest 20 percent. So it’s great to see these children in Kenya bucking the trend and making the most of their opportunities in the classroom!

classroom in Bolivia

Writing practice takes concentration! If you’d like to sponsor another child like this girl in Bolivia, you can help them get access to education and a route out of poverty.

classroom in Uganda

In sub-Saharan Africa, getting girls into education is crucial to their future. But 40% of girls won’t be able to finish their lower secondary school.

classroom in Indonesia

Thanks to support from Compassion, Karunia, who was born with Apert Syndrome, loves learning and the friends she has made at school. Only 1/3 of disabled children in Indonesia are able to attend school.

classroom in Ethiopia

Happy to learn, these children in Ethiopia are thriving in school.

classroom in El Salvador

Children in rural areas of El Salvador find it harder to get a good education, and only 50% of young people are in secondary school.

classroom in Tanzania

This girl in Tanzania is enjoying her opportunity to learn. Yet it’s estimated that more than four million children and young people are not in education because they have had to flee their homes because of war or natural disaster.

classroom in Haiti

The 2010 earthquake in Haiti killed more than 1,000 teachers, destroyed 85% of the schools in affected areas and disrupted studies for approximately 2.9 million children.

The nation then faced further disruption in 2016 when Hurricane Matthew struck, destroying Compassion project facilities like this classroom. 

classroom in Kenya

School is a place to nurture hopes and dreams, in Kenya and across the world. Some Kenyan children face a particular challenge to their education: approximately 26% are engaged in child labour.

classroom in the Philippines

Every day, 95 children in the Philippines die from malnutrition. Children attending the Compassion project, who may not have adequate food at home, receive lunch and two snacks at least once a week.

classroom in el salvador

There are over 300,000 young people aged 15-24 who neither study nor work in El Salvador. Yet Compassion projects help young people to gain skills in literacy, numeracy and IT that will give them a better future.

classroom in Thailand

School can be an exciting place for young Thai children, who often lack stimulation at home. Books are extremely limited, specifically in poor households. Fifty-nine percent of children under age 5 do not have at least three books at home.

classroom in Uganda

The learning taking place in this classroom in Uganda will open doors for these children and give them a route out of poverty for the future.

classroom in Honduras

Practising using scissors helps develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills for this girl in Honduras. On average, each additional year of education a child receives increases her or his adult earnings by about 10 percent

classroom in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, 55% of primary schools do not have electricity. As for enthusiasm, it looks like there’s plenty!

classroom in Philippines

The academic year looks a bit different in the Philippines. School begins in June and ends in March.

classroom in Indonesia

In Indonesia, 1 in 10 children do not make the transition from primary school to secondary school.

classroom in Dominican Republic

In the Dominican Republic children require birth certificates to access secondary school, which can limit admission and mean some children are unable to continue their education.

classroom in Colombia

In Colombia, children attend school in the mornings and are free to attend Compassion programmes in the afternoons to support their studies and their wellbeing.

art class in Mexico

Getting creative is an important part of learning in school, helping children to express themselves. It can be especially useful as therapy if a child has experienced trauma or disruption to their lives.

If you’ve been inspired to support a child’s education and help to change their future, you can sponsor a child with Compassion. 

Compassion UK

Words by Compassion UK


SHARE:

Twitter Facebook

More stories for you

Homepage Banner

Join thousands of people praying to end poverty, take action through our appeals and activities, and be inspired by how God is changing lives.

Get a little Compassion in your inbox with our Prayer and Stories email.

Remember, you can unsubscribe at any time. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information.

Compassion UK Christian Child Development, registered charity in England and Wales (1077216) and Scotland (SC045059). A company limited by guarantee, Registered in England and Wales company number 03719092. Registered address: Compassion House, Barley Way, Fleet, Hampshire, GU51 2UT.