As Israeli students resumed their studies for the new academic year, several initiatives led by Israeli organizations are working to expand educational opportunities in underserved communities worldwide. These programs aim to address challenges ranging from limited infrastructure to the aftermath of crises and natural disasters.

One such effort is led by ConnectingMath, an Israeli nonprofit focused on enhancing math education in developing countries. Since launching a pilot program six months ago, the organization has reached approximately 800 students in grades one through six across eight rural schools in Kenya. The program features a local educator, Aaron, who travels daily between schools with 20 tablets loaded with offline math activities. Students engage in pairs or small groups, completing over 100,000 exercises since the start of the year. Shmulik London, co-founder of ConnectingMath, observed that despite initial uncertainties, the initiative has been integrated into regular school routines, revitalizing classrooms through targeted, resource-efficient teaching methods.

In Venezuela, Early Starters International, an educational organization specializing in emergency response, is supporting young children affected by recent crises. Former Israeli Education Ministry employee Keren Gantz-Maya, now working with the group, has helped establish six safe learning spaces in La Guaira and Caracas. These centers provide activities that promote interaction, play, and gradual reintroduction to learning. As of mid-August, the program had conducted more than 25 activities involving over 900 children and trained upwards of 214 local educators and therapists to sustain the initiative. Gantz-Maya emphasized the importance of restoring a sense of security and routine for children in post-disaster environments, noting the gradual return of social engagement among participants as a key early success.

In Ghana, the Israeli company RoboGroup has partnered with the Ministry of Education to create 20 STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) learning centers throughout the country. These facilities are equipped with robotics and programming labs, 3D printers, and digital manufacturing technology, providing hands-on opportunities for students to explore and innovate. RoboGroup is also training teachers to operate the centers independently, aiming to establish a sustainable framework for ongoing educational development. CEO Yoram Doitch described the collaboration as a flagship project in Africa, focused on fostering curiosity and enhancing skills among both students and educators.

Meanwhile, in India’s Maharashtra state, Gabriel Project Mumbai (GPM) is introducing digital science laboratories to seven government schools serving over 6,000 indigenous children in Palghar District. Fourteen teachers travel between these schools carrying portable “Einstein Tablets” developed by Israeli company Fourier Education, enabling students to conduct scientific experiments and engage with STEM subjects. This initiative often marks the first exposure to digital learning and hands-on science for many participants. Jacob Sztokman, founder of GPM, highlighted the transformative effect such experiences have on students’ enthusiasm and understanding.

All four entities—ConnectingMath, Early Starters International, RoboGroup, and Gabriel Project Mumbai—are members of SID Israel, the umbrella organization representing Israel’s international development and humanitarian sectors. Ayelet Levin-Karp, CEO of SID Israel, underscored the global disparity in access to education, noting that while a new school year begins in Israel, countless children worldwide face barriers that prevent regular learning. She emphasized that quality education has the power to change lives by creating new opportunities and equipping children with tools for a better future.