Education is a right and a crucial opportunity. It holds the key to a better life for children and adolescents. The near universalization of primary schooling is one of the great global achievements of the past 50 years. An estimated 617 million children and adolescents are unable to reach minimum proficiency levels in reading and mathematics – even though two thirds of them are in school. The breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic has made the situation even worser due to the school closure. Without skills for lifelong learning, children face greater barriers to earning potential and employment in later life. They are more likely to suffer adverse health outcomes – threatening their ability to build a better future for themselves and their communities. In 144 countries and regions around the globe, UNICEF works to provide online and offline learning opportunities that prepare children and adolescents with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive. Our approach to education ensures children are not only taught to read and write but to be active members of society who share their knowledge for the benefit of all.