Education is at the heart of CRS’ mission. We support communities, local partners and governments in their efforts to ensure that all children–including the most vulnerable and marginalized—have the right to a quality education. Recognizing that education can be a force for either inclusion and acceptance or exclusion and conflict, CRS engages a wide variety of people to ensure that schools play a positive role in building a culture of peace.

Our education projects encompass a range of activities, including early childhood development, school feeding programs, and primary, secondary, and higher education in both formal and non-formal settings.  CRS is able to have a broad and deep reach through its national and local networks of Catholic organizations and schools, as well as through public and private entities.

Through funding from the United States Department of Agriculture McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition and Food for Progress Programs, Catholic Relief Services leads effective education and agricultural development projects to build strong, resilient futures among the world’s most vulnerable people. Together, through school feeding, quality education, and improved livelihoods of smallholder farming families, USDA and CRS are committed to building opportunities and ending hunger among those we serve.ks of Catholic organizations and schools, as well as through public and private entities.

What We Do

CRS aims to improve the quality of education so that it is relevant to the local context and children’s background, inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of each learner, and effective in providing children with skills and knowledge to lead healthy, productive lives.

Many of our education programs focus on early grade reading and math instruction as a strategy to build strong foundations for success in later grades.  To accomplish this, we work with a wide range of partners – schools, Catholic and other faith-based agencies, non-governmental organizations, ministries of education at the local and national levels, United Nations agencies and others – to address issues at the home, school and policy levels. 

How We Do It

• Effective professional training: Training teachers and developing educational materials are critical in improving the quality at school. CRS has worked with teachers extensively to improve their skills and class management techniques, such as developing lesson plans and assessment strategies.

• Student-focused materials: CRS promotes child-centered and active-teaching methodologies to enhance children’s interest and learning. CRS tailors training sessions and educational materials to the local context and to children’s special characteristics. For example, CRS provides language training so that teachers can teach literary skills in their students’ first language. 

Explore the regions where CRS is transforming lives through your generosity. From Africa to Latin America, discover stories of hope and resilience across the globe.

With a team of Communications staff around the world, we can provide real-time updates during emergencies and on a wide variety of current issues and events facing the developing world and the international community.