UN 
- Launched in June 2024 in northern Jordan by Save the Children
- Targets 5,000 refugee girls aged 11-17 by late 2026
- Focuses on locally recruited, refugee-led facilitation
Save the Children’s new initiative responds to persistent barriers facing refugee girls’ secondary education in Jordan’s northern governorates, notably Mafraq and Irbid, which border Syria and host over 200,000 registered refugees. The hubs are situated within and near established camps, including Za’atari and Azraq, and aim to provide flexible, community-embedded learning environments. This is part of a broader response to low secondary enrolment rates among refugee girls, estimated below 25% by UNHCR for 2023 in the region.
The education hubs are distinctive for their refugee-led design: facilitators and coordinators are recruited from the refugee community itself, with targeted training and ongoing support. Save the Children, coordinating with Jordan’s Ministry of Education and UNHCR, intends this model as a replicable pilot for other high-need geographies across the Middle East and North Africa by 2026. While donor pledges have been secured from ECHO and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation through 2025, the programme’s long-term continuity hinges on quantifiable progress and impact evaluation metrics set for 2026.
Compared to previous top-down interventions, this pilot shifts control to local actors and specifically addresses gender barriers identified in 2022-2023 needs assessments, such as mobility restrictions and early marriage risks. However, independent reviewers have flagged a need for transparent outcome reporting and warned against premature claims of systemic change before mid-term reviews in late 2025. Delivery will be closely monitored against UN SDG 4 indicators, especially regarding access, completion, and gender parity.
By 2026, Save the Children is expected to report not only on enrolment but also on learning outcomes and retention rates, with external audits to guard against inflated claims and greenwashing. The pilot’s success will depend on demonstrable, gender-disaggregated improvements, beyond headline announcements, in what remains one of Jordan’s most challenging humanitarian education contexts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the goal of the new education hubs in northern Jordan?
The primary goal is to increase access to quality secondary education for 5,000 refugee girls aged 11-17 in northern Jordan by late 2026. The hubs aim to provide flexible, community-driven learning and address barriers such as mobility, safety, and social constraints. The project is aligned with SDG 4 and focuses on gender equity in education.
How is this initiative different from previous programmes?
This pilot places operational leadership in the hands of refugees themselves, offering locally relevant curricula and peer support. It differs from prior interventions by focusing on gender-responsive, refugee-led facilitation, and measurable SDG 4 targets. External monitoring and stakeholder reviews are integral to avoid unsubstantiated impact claims.
How will impact and delivery be evaluated by 2026?
Impact will be measured through enrolment, completion, and learning assessments, disaggregated by gender. External audits and independent monitoring are planned for 2025-2026 to verify progress. Transparent reporting will be critical to distinguish delivered outcomes from pledges and avoid greenwashing concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of Save the Children’s refugee-led education hubs in northern Jordan?
The hubs aim to improve access to secondary education for 5,000 refugee girls aged 11-17 in northern Jordan by 2026, focusing on community leadership and gender equity.
Who leads and staffs the education hubs launched by Save the Children in Jordan?
The education hubs are led and staffed by facilitators and coordinators recruited from the refugee community itself.
Which locations in Jordan are targeted by the new girls’ education initiative?
The initiative targets refugee communities in northern Jordan, specifically in and around Mafraq and Irbid, including camps like Za’atari and Azraq.
How is the success of the education hubs being measured?
Success is monitored against UN SDG 4 indicators, including access, completion, gender parity, and learning outcomes, with external audits and impact evaluations planned for 2026.
Who is funding Save the Children’s refugee-led education hubs in Jordan?
The programme is supported by ECHO and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation through 2025.
