Igniting a collaboration for secondary education at Skoll

What a powerhouse discussion last week at the session "An inclusive secondary education: What will it take?" co-hosted with Educate Girls , PEAS (Promoting Equality in African Schools) and Transform Schools during Skoll World Forum in Oxford, UK. With 30+ leaders from across diverse contexts, it was joyful to map the challenges and unlock bold opportunities.

One burning takeaway: Secondary education’s crisis isn’t just about access—it’s about purpose, metrics, and collaboration.

Learn about the key insights that resonated during the convening below:

The urgent challenges

• No north star: Is secondary education about employability, empowerment, or societal transformation? Without consensus, metrics and funding remain fragmented.
• Evidence gap: Where’s the "ASER for secondary"? We lack universal tools to measure competencies, transitions, or life outcomes.
• Funding misalignment: Short-term ROI demands overshadow systemic solutions (e.g., flexible capital for policy advocacy).
• Inclusion paradox: Marginalised learners (girls, refugees) are costlier to reach but yield intergenerational impact.

The opportunities

• Policy leverage: Advocate for compulsory education to age 18 and align with regional economic agendas.
• Cross-sector coalitions: Learn from health/climate movements to build unified advocacy
• Redefine success: Shift from enrolment to transitions (work, further education) and 21st-century competencies.
• Localize solutions: Partner with faith-based and community schools already serving millions affordably.

"This isn’t about enrolment—it’s about dignity. That girl who cannot apply for any entry level job — because she lacks a 10th-grade certificate, deserves more." Safeena Husain

Thanks to all the participants that joined us for this inspiring session. The energy in the room was was electric - now let’s turn these ideas into action.

We are grateful to the following organisations and individuals for participating.

Amala College of Education Christel House International BRAC One World Network of Schools Transform Schools PEAS (Promoting Equality in African Schools) STIR Education Street Child The Citizens Foundation Rising Academies SHOFCO Breakthrough Global Schools Forum Crucible Exam Delivery Antarang Foundation Education for Villages and Disadvantaged People Initiative Taleemabad Teach For All

Aashti Zaidi Hai , Kavita Rajagopalan , Pankaj Vinayak Sharma , Tanushree Narain Sharma , Jenny Groot , Ajay Pinjani , Emily Goulborn , Alison Bukhari , Safeena Husain , Bersabel Mesgna , Mark Butcher , Bineesh Mathai , Anita Anastacio , Francois Louw , Mark Muriithi Laichena , Mia Eskelund Pedersen , Nadia Naviwala , Peter Drobac , Priya Agrawal , Josephine Saidu , George Cowell , Haroon Yasin , Brian Sims , Guy Cave , Wendy Anderson , Sam Ho , Indrani Goradia , Smarinita Shetty , Louise Savell , Susan de Witt , Gideon Oyedeji

Global Schools Forum is a collaborative community of 160+ schools, school networks, early childhood education organisations and education entrepreneurs operating in the global south reaching 126 million+ children. Join us on our mission to improve education outcomes for children in low-and middle-income countries. Head to www.globalschoolsforum.org to find out more.

How is your organisation rethinking secondary education? Share your comments below.