It’s back to school season. For parents and caregivers that means getting back into the school run and settling back into routines. For students it’s all about finding their way around new classrooms and catching up with friends after the holidays. But as another school year begins, it’s also a time to reflect on the importance of access to education.
Education opens up a world of opportunities. Although progress has been made to improve access to education worldwide, 1 in 6 children around the world are still not in school. Children who live or work on the streets represent a disproportionate number of those not in school globally, yet for many street children, getting into a classroom is far from simple.
The barriers street children face
Education is a universal right, but street children face unique barriers that stop them from accessing an education.
No Legal identification
Without official identification, children can’t enrol in school or take exams.
No permanent address
Moving from place to place makes enrolling and staying in school extremely difficult.
No legal guardian
Children may lack a parent or guardian who can support their enrolment, encourage attendance, and advocate on their behalf.
Financial responsibility
Street children often have to work to support themselves and their family, making education difficult to prioritise.
Cost of uniforms and books
Even where education is free, the costs of uniforms, books and school supplies can place it out of reach.
For those who do manage to attend school, the challenges do not always end there. Many face discrimination, stigma and exclusion in class. After missing years of education, some struggle to catch up academically, leaving them at a disadvantage compared to other children their own age.
How Toybox helps
At Toybox we believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn.
In many of the countries where Toybox works, tuition is free, but the hidden costs of education can still prevent children from attending school. That’s why we work with children, families, and communities to remove the barriers that keep education out of reach. Recognising that poverty is often a key reason children leave school, we help families strengthen their livelihoods so they are not forced to depend on their children’s income.
We support parents, guardians and caregivers to understand the value of education and encourage children to remain in school. We also work with community leaders, religious leaders, teachers and headteachers to challenge attitudes and misconceptions that can prevent street children from accessing education.
Many street children, especially girls, face violence on a daily basis in school. Through our local partners, we provide training on child protection, child rights and positive discipline, helping schools create safer and more inclusive environments where children can thrive.
Bringing education to children
One of the more innovative ways we help street children access education is through our mobile school. The mobile school is a classroom on wheels that is engineered to be easy to transport into the communities where street children live and work. We welcome up to 25 children per session, using over 200 interactive panels to teach a range of subjects to children of all ages.
Click here to watch a video about our Mobile School.
Every child deserves access to an education
At Toybox, we’re helping some of the world’s most vulnerable children access learning and the opportunity of a brighter future.
So if you’re back to school this September, take a moment to think of the 273 million children who are still missing out on an education.
Despite the challenges they face, street children continue to show incredible determination and resilience. With the right support, they can overcome the barriers standing in their way and unlock their full potential.
You can help more children access the education they deserve. Donate to our education work
