School the World brings its education model to the Philippines

School the World, a nonprofit with 16 years of impact in Central America, has announced the expansion of its program to the Philippines.

With more than 165,000 classrooms still needed in the Philippines and rural dropout rates remaining high, School the World is bringing its “comprehensive model” — which integrates school infrastructure, teacher training, and parental empowerment — to help “close learning gaps and build community resilience,” said COO Lara Hoyem in a press statement.

School the World will start in six rural communities across the provinces of Palawan and Zamboanga del Sur, where access to education remains “deeply inequitable.”

“This isn’t just geographic growth—it’s impact growth,” said Kate Curran, founder and CEO. “We’ve seen what happens when you invest in the whole ecosystem—teachers, parents, and schools—and now we’re applying that same proven model to a new context where the opportunity for transformation is enormous,” she said.

School the World is collaborating with trusted Filipino partner Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation, whose community presence and government relationships support the initial implementation.

“Education is a universal right, and addressing its accessibility is a shared global responsibility,” said Dr. Anton Mari Lim, president and co-founder. “Humanity will never progress if we look only after our own backyards and we are honored to partner with School the World and work together to provide accessible, quality education to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.”

In each of the communities, School the World will implement its primary school program: equipping teachers with training focused on student engagement and foundational literacy, while also empowering parents through workshops that emphasize their role in their children’s learning. Libraries will support a culture of reading and early literacy.

Since 2009, School the World has partnered with rural communities to build schools, train teachers, and empower parents. It has reached over 180,000 children and built 175 schools in communities across Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama. In 2025, the organization launched its first programs in the Philippines. Learn more at www.schooltheworld.org. 

The Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation provides access to education for children in remote Philippine communities, often by literally delivering them to school by boat. The foundation also builds classrooms, provides school supplies, and empowers families through livelihood programs. Learn more at www.yellowboat.org.