Why Investing in Teachers Is One of the Most Powerful Ways to Transform Education

Across the world, education systems face an urgent challenge: millions of children are in school but not learning. Research from global education bodies consistently points to one critical factor at the heart of this issue — teacher quality. While classrooms, textbooks, and technology all play a role, evidence shows that the single most important in-school driver of student learning is a well-trained, supported teacher.

At Aprender, this evidence shapes everything we do.

What the research tells us about effective teacher training

Decades of international research show that not all teacher training leads to better outcomes. One-off workshops, theory-heavy courses, or programmes disconnected from classroom realities rarely create lasting change. Instead, the strongest evidence points to teacher professional development that is:

• Ongoing, not one-off

• Practical and classroom-focused

• Linked to curriculum and student learning

• Supported by coaching, mentoring, or peer learning

• Accessible, including through digital and offline-first solutions

  
  

When these elements are in place, teacher training leads to measurable improvements in teaching practice — and, crucially, in student learning outcomes such as literacy, numeracy, engagement, and inclusion.

Why teacher training matters beyond the classroom

Effective teacher development does more than improve individual lessons. It strengthens entire education systems. Teachers who are confident, skilled, and supported are more likely to remain in the profession, mentor others, and drive improvement within their schools and communities. Over time, this creates sustainable change that lasts long after a single project or intervention ends.

Research also shows that investing in teachers delivers high social returns. Better education outcomes are linked to improved health, higher lifetime earnings, greater gender equity, and stronger civic participation. In other words, teacher training is not just an education intervention — it is a catalyst for long-term social and economic development.

How Aprender aligns with best practice

Aprender’s approach to teacher training is deliberately aligned with what the evidence tells us works best. Our programmes focus on empowering teachers through practical, relevant, and continuous professional development, designed to fit the realities of low-resource and low-connectivity contexts.

We combine:

• School-based learning and peer support

• Coaching and reflective practice

• Digital and offline-first tools that expand access

• Local partnerships that embed training within existing systems

  
  

By working alongside teachers rather than delivering top-down solutions, Aprender helps educators build skills, confidence, and ownership — ensuring impact is meaningful and sustainable.

Multiplying change through teachers

A single trained teacher doesn’t just influence one classroom. They impact hundreds — sometimes thousands — of students over the course of their career. When teachers are empowered, learning improves, schools strengthen, and communities benefit for generations.

That belief sits at the heart of Aprender’s mission.

Our evidence-led series on Social Media

Across the weeks, we are sharing a series of insights across our channels that explore what global research tells us about effective teacher training and how Aprender’s work aligns with these best practices. This series reflects our commitment to transparency, evidence-based action, and long-term impact.

Because when we invest in teachers, we don’t just improve education — we multiply change.