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Opportunity EduFinance
Level 18, 100 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 1GT

Telephone: +44 (0) 7768599834

© 2024 Opportunity International Education Finance functions under its US and UK affiliates. Opportunity International United Kingdom is registered as a charity in England and Wales (1107713) and in Scotland (SCO39692). Opportunity International United Statesis a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

COVID-19 Response Toolkit Blogs

What does existing research tell us about how to design school leadership training programs to have the greatest impact on student learning outcomes?

by Natalie Davirro

School leaders play an integral role in creating a school environment and culture that is conducive to learning. Numerous studies globally have found clear links between a strong school leadership and improved student learning outcomes. In many contexts however, especially low-resource environments or isolated settings, many school leaders lack the training and support necessary to develop their capacity. When school leaders do receive support – such as in developing school improvement plans, goal-setting,…

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Midline Report Finds Vocational Training Loan Scheme Benefiting Lower-Income Households to Access Affordable Courses

by Zoya Japanwala

Having its largest ever youth population, India’s workforce largely depends on the education, skills, and potential of its youth. Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET) courses – more commonly known as Skilling courses in India - are a means of short, comprehensive, and low-cost training that boost trainees’ employability with job-specific skills and close networks with industry sectors for job placements. Ensuring access to finance is one of the most effective ways of enabling…

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Recognizing Excellence – 2023 EduQuality Awards

by Maham Khuhro

The 2023 EdQ Awards Report spotlighted schools globally for their outstanding efforts in providing quality education. These institutions not only embraced innovation but also positively impacted their communities. The EduQuality Awards, organized by Opportunity EduFinance, celebrate and acknowledge the commitment to advancing education standards, with each school receiving a cash prize and a wall plaque for their school during the respective award ceremonies. “It means a lot that we are also able…

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“It is for the children that we make these improvements” – School Leader reflections on USAID CATALYZE EduFinance impact

by CATALYZE EduFinance

Mr. Nzibonera had overcrowded classrooms at his school in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Ms. Claribel was trying to do all the work herself to run her school in the Dominican Republic. Leaders of a school in Guatemala that educates learners with hearing impairments were struggling with the school’s financial management. In Zambia, a lack of financing options limited Ms. Stella’s plans to invest in her dream school. Each of these low-fee private schools faced challenges. But, these…

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'Seizing the $10.2 Billion Market: Mobilizing Capital Towards Low-Cost Education' – Reflections on European Microfinance Week

by Rachel Tabor

On November 16th 2023, Opportunity International EduFinance hosted an important panel at this year’s European Microfinance Week at Luxembourg’s Abbaye de Neumunster. European Microfinance Week (EMW), hosted by e-MFP, is one of the top events in the financial inclusion calendar and a unique meeting point for microfinance and financial inclusion professionals working worldwide. This year, European Microfinance Week attracted a record of 659 attendees from 61 countries, including consultants…

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Using AI to Predict Client Profiles and Provide Innovative Lending Solutions - Discussion with Jackfruit Finance

by Maham Khuhro

In the education finance landscape, bridging the gap between affordable private schools and access to capital remains a formidable challenge. Jackfruit Finance, a Kenya-based partner of Opportunity International, was founded with the goal to transform the way schools offering affordable education can access financial stability. In an insightful conversation between Julius Omoding, Senior Technical Assistance Advisor & Regional Director for Africa, Opportunity EduFinance, and Robert Alhadeff, CEO…

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Pathways to Excellence: EduQuality school leaders make strides towards improvement across 18 domains of school quality

by Natalie Davirro

Opportunity EduFinance has published a new report: Pathways to Excellence: Assessing EduQuality school progress in quality improvements, which uses data collected from more than 200 schools and reveals that EduQuality school leaders are successfully improving their school quality across 18 different areas. Pathways to Excellence – which aims to train and empower school leaders around 18 domains of school quality – is having a powerful impact on school leaders, who continue to make strides…

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"We need greater collaboration between education stakeholders" - Reflections on Opportunity International's UN General Assembly Side Event

by Maham Khuhro and Catherine O'Shea

On September 18th, 2023, Opportunity International EduFinance held a side event as part of the United Nations General Assembly. The event sparked important discussions about how non-state actors can improve education access and quality for students in low- and middle-income countries, especially those in hard-to-reach areas. Furthermore, the event aimed to identify key steps for more equitable and more efficient education financing.The panel included:Andrew McCusker, Head of Education Finance, Opportunity…

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"When people understand the value of education, they tend to pursue it" - EduQuality Pakistan Launch

by Maham Khuhro

  Pakistan is reported to have the world’s second-highest number of out-of-school children, with almost 23 million children between the ages of 5 and 16 not attending school, representing 44% of the total population in this age group. To help tackle this issue, EduQuality, a program of Opportunity EduFinance, has launched in Pakistan, and is currently partnering with 150 schools in areas across the province of Punjab including, Rajanpur, Khanewal, Vehari, Nankana, Pakpattan, Okara, Multan, Sheikhupura,…

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77% of schools who attend EduFinance School Leadership Academies across 10 countries seek school improvement loans as a result

by Maham Khuhro and Catherine O'Shea

  As Opportunity EduFinance expands the number of financial institutions and schools it partners with, there has been a continued increase in the frequency of School Leadership Academies (SLA). These SLA workshops serve as a valuable forum where local school leaders can engage directly with financial institutions, enhancing the prospects of establishing loan partnerships to fund school development. To learn more about the SLA workshops, we spoke with Rachel Tabor, ETAF Associate, and Robinah Zawedde,…

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