Communicating the nature of a profession can be challenging. Many professionals have a concise summary to explain their work in a few seconds, and if interest is shown, they may expand upon it further. However, it is rare for someone to truly take the time to understand the complexities of daily work, making it difficult to convey the significance, purpose, and impact of certain vocations.
This challenge frequently arises when discussing organizations like Edify and their role in Christ-centered education. Upon learning that Edify is a nonprofit working internationally to improve education, people often respond with, “That’s great work,” without fully grasping the depth of the mission. To bridge this gap in understanding, this post serves as an introduction to a three-part series explaining the WHAT, WHY, and HOW of Edify—an explanation that cannot be sufficiently captured in a brief introduction.
Understanding the Need
Millions of students worldwide still lack access to education. While many public schools exist, they are often overcrowded, with classrooms holding 50 to 60 students, and they suffer from systemic challenges such as teacher absenteeism, underfunding, and even unsafe environments. In many cases, public education does not provide the critical thinking, technical, or vocational skills necessary to equip students for a brighter future. Without adequate education, students and their communities face significant barriers to economic and social development.
The Solution: Low-Fee Independent Schools
An increasingly viable solution to the education crisis in the regions where Edify works is the presence of low-fee independent schools. These schools, which operate on tuition fees as low as $2 to $25 per month, offer students an education that is often superior to what is available in public institutions. While their facilities may not be elaborate, they are led by passionate school proprietors and dedicated educators striving to serve their communities. The book The Beautiful Tree by James Tooley explores the impact of such schools in various countries, highlighting their effectiveness in providing quality education at a low cost.
Edify’s Role
Edify partners with low-fee Christ-centered independent schools to enhance both educational quality and spiritual development. Rather than establishing new schools or sponsoring individual students, Edify strengthens existing institutions to provide a Christ-centered, high-quality education that reaches more students. This support is provided through three key methods:
- Training for school proprietors and educators – Equipping school leaders and teachers with tools to enhance learning outcomes, integrate a biblical worldview, and efficiently manage their schools.
- Loan capital for school expansion and improvement – Schools receive financial support for infrastructure improvements and operational sustainability.
- Education technology and curriculum resources – Providing digital tools and educational materials to help schools achieve their mission more effectively.
By investing in these three areas, Edify helps ensure that more students gain access to education while simultaneously improving its quality. As low-fee independent schools continue to grow, they create increased opportunities for learning and long-term community transformation.
Future posts will delve deeper into these methods, illustrating how Edify works alongside school proprietors to support their efforts in expanding and improving Christ-centered education.