The R4D Education Team launched an Ashoka Changemakers Competition to identify innovative models of skills delivery at the secondary school level.
The competition is meant to draw out promising innovations, new ideas, and entrepreneurial models that enhance the learning of secondary school students in both the public and the non-state sectors. Winning initiatives might include (but are not limited to):
- Innovative use of technology in formal schools, as well as online learning and certification
- Non formal schooling, including work place schemes, new apprenticeships, part-time study, community education, peer-to-peer education, youth clubs and other non-formal models
- Open schooling and distance learning models
- Scholarships or vouchers
- Public-private partnerships
- Cost per student reduction models
- Any entrepreneurial, new ideas that do not fit into the categories above
R4D is looking for models that have moved past the “idea” stage to the “operational” stage, and that are currently being implemented – even if only at a small scale – in one of our 12 focus countries. In-school innovations that have the potential to be scaled up and applied across different countries and contexts will receive particular attention.
A jury panel comprised of experts in international education will select the winners, and the two best entries will each receive a prize of $1,000. The runner-up will receive a prize of $500. In addition, the top 10 entries will be featured on the R4D website and their work will be profiled as case studies.
The competition is part of R4D’s broader Innovative Secondary Education for Skills Enhancement project, funded by the Rockefeller Foundation.
For more information on entry guidelines and selection criteria, please see the competition webpage.