Secondary Education and Technical Vocational Skills Development Initiatives (TVSD) | Mastercard Foundation

Secondary Education and Technical Vocational Skills Development Initiatives (TVSD)

Secondary education is a significant driver of poverty reduction and economic development in Africa.

Purity and Phenny Omondi built an urban farm in Kibera, Nairobi. As part of their enterprise, Kilimo Jijini, they teach vertical farming techniques to women who live in Kibera, 2017 A woman holding a mobile device, Ghana Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, 2017. A young woman working in a mechanic shop, URDT Institute, Uganda, 2024 A teacher standing among seated students in uniform, giving a lesson in a classroom

Our work strengthens secondary education to ensure young people have access to quality learning and smoothly transition to further education or work.

We focus on three pillars: expanding equitable access and transitions, equipping students with market-relevant skills for fulfilling work, and advancing leadership, policy, and innovation to improve learning outcomes.

Our Approach

We collaborate closely with partners, governments, policy makers, and NGOs to create innovative solutions, strengthen educational institutions, and build supportive ecosystems, aimed at improving access to quality education and facilitating successful transitions for young people.

Areas of Focus

Girls’ Education

We support disadvantaged youth, particularly young women, to access high-quality education and training so they can have the opportunities and resources they need to succeed.

Young people writing in books in a classroom

Teacher Development and Training

We work with partners to provide teachers with training and ongoing professional development.

Our Leaders in Teaching program expands the recruit, train, lead, and motivate model to new countries, especially in the Sahel and Democratic Republic of Congo, using technology-enabled approaches to reach fragile countries.

A teacher sitting at their desk at the front of the class in front of a blackboard with chalk writing of mathematical formulas

Second-chance Education

Our Resilience in Secondary Education (Rise Africa) program offers alternative and flexible learning paths to out-of-school students, especially disadvantaged groups.

RISE provides quality education to learners who don’t have access to traditional schools, meeting them where they are in their learning journey.

A young person in a classroom writing in a booklet

Technical Vocational and Skills Development (TVSD)

The Mastercard Foundation works with national stakeholders to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems, ensuring training is aligned with industry needs and emerging economic opportunities.

A young person in dark blue coveralls plugging in a device

Our Research

Secondary Education in Africa: Preparing Youth for the Future of Work

This report focuses on the role of secondary education in ensuring youth acquire the skills, knowledge, and competencies necessary to succeed in a dynamic and globalized labour market.

Read the report
A teacher in a white overcoat speaking to young students in a classroom in front of a blackboard

Our Partners

Learn More About Our Work in Education and Transitions

Facilitating young people’s pathways from education to dignified and fulfilling work and entrepreneurship.

Learn more
Schoolchildren working around a desk.