At ICOES, we are proud to support PEAS (Promoting Equality in African Schools), a not-for-profit organization committed to providing accessible, high-quality secondary education across Sub-Saharan Africa, with a strong focus on empowering girls. Founded with the goal of reaching students who would otherwise be left behind, PEAS builds and operates schools in hard-to-reach communities, establishing one of the largest secondary school networks in the region. With over 19,000 students across 36 schools in Uganda, Zambia, and Ghana, and partnerships that support an additional 300 schools, PEAS is making a lasting impact on education.
PEAS is particularly committed to advancing girls’ education, recognizing that empowering girls has the potential to break the cycle of poverty and contribute to broader societal change. The organization equips school leaders with tools and training to create gender-inclusive environments, while senior women teachers act as mentors, helping girls overcome barriers, build confidence, and succeed beyond their school years.
The results of PEAS’ work are clear: students from disadvantaged backgrounds are making faster academic progress, and girls in PEAS schools are more confident and better prepared for life after graduation. With over half of their students being girls, PEAS is not only defying national norms in both Uganda and Zambia but is also providing a safer, higher-quality education at a lower cost than other schools.
In a region where only 1 in 3 children have access to secondary education, PEAS is working to change that reality, especially for girls. Secondary education has the power to transform lives, and educated girls are more likely to invest in their families and communities, driving social, economic, and political progress.
At ICOES, we share PEAS’ commitment to empowering youth through education. By offering training courses for PEAS staff and the communities they serve, we aim to contribute to their mission of fostering personal and professional growth. This partnership aligns with ICOES’ core mission to make education accessible to as many people as possible.