UN Sustainability Goals - Quality Education

 

Introduction:

Quality education is a cornerstone of sustainable development, serving as a powerful catalyst for positive change and progress. The United Nations, with pivotal role education plays in shaping societies and fostering economic growth in mind, has identified education as one of the key pillars of their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this blog post, we will delve into the significance of quality education, explore the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 4, and examine how investing in education can pave the way for a more sustainable and equitable world. 

                            

Importance of quality education:

 

Quality education encompasses, acquiring knowledge, developing critical thinking skills, fostering creativity, and instilling values that contribute to responsible global citizenship. A well-rounded education empowers individuals to navigate an increasingly complex world, facing challenges such as poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation

 

It is a fundamental human rights to have education although millions in this world are, sadly, deprived of it. There are several factors like gender disparities, socioeconomic factors, inaccessible geographical locations contribute to this anomaly. Education is the catalyst that can bridge these gaps  which is essential for achieving sustainable development, and education helps in breaking the cycle of poverty and fostering social and economic mobility.

 

United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, in 2015. Providing quality education is the fourth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and aims to achieve them by 2030. 

 

Quality Education – 4^th Goal of UN SDG:

 

       

 

Goal 4 of the UN's SDGs is dedicated to ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. The targets associated with this goal aim to address various aspects of education, from access and affordability to the quality of learning outcomes. By 2030, the UN envisions a world where all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education, leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.

 

                                                                

 

Over the past decade, there has been a massive growth in access to education and school enrollment rates. It happened at all levels, particularly for girls. However, there are approximately 258 million children and youth are still out of school as on year 2018 — nearly one-fifth of the global population in that age group.

 

 

 

Statistics about Education:

 

 

 

• Nearly 91 percent have enrolled in Primary Education in developing countries.

• There are still 57 million primary-aged children out of school. More than half of them is in sub-Saharan Africa.

• One in four girls did not get an education.

• Conflict-affected areas have only half of the children going to school.

• 103 million youth worldwide lack basic literacy skills, and more than 60 percent are women.

• Minimum proficiency and math are not reaching 6 out of 10 adolescents.

 

These are some of the statistics about quality education worldwide. The UN is working towards the betterment of these statistics.

 

 

Key Targets of SDG-4:

 

            

1. Universal Access to Education: Ensure that all children, irrespective of gender, have access to free primary and secondary education.

2. Equal Opportunities: Eliminate gender disparities and ensure equal access to quality education at all levels to both boys and girls.

3. Skills Development: Promote skills necessary for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.

4. Global Citizenship: Foster global citizenship through education, promoting values of tolerance, diversity, and sustainability.

5. Inclusive Education: Build inclusive education systems that cater to the needs of vulnerable populations, including persons with disabilities.

6. Quality Learning Outcomes: Improve literacy, numeracy, and essential life skills for all learners.

 

These are all the targets that Quality Education Goal aims to achieve by 2030.

 

How much progress has been made by the UN so far?

 

 

The primary school completion rate reached 84 percent in 2018, up from 70 percent in 2000, and under current trends, is expected to reach 89 percent globally by 2030.

 

There has been tremendous progress in reaching the target of universal primary education. The enrollment rate in developing regions reached 91 percent in 2015, and the worldwide number of children out of school has dropped by almost half. There has also been a surprising increase in literacy rates, and more girls are in school than before. These are all remarkable wins.

 

In 74 countries with comparable data for 2011-2019, around seven in ten children aged three and four were developmentally on track in at least three of the following domains: literacy-numeracy, physical development, social-emotional development, and learning. The global adult literacy rate (aged 25 years and older) was 86 percent in 2018, while the youth literacy rate (15 to 24 years) was 92 percent.

 

What challenges remain?

 

 

Despite years of constant growth in enrollment rates, non-proficiency rates remain disturbingly high. In 2018, some 773 million adults—two-thirds are women—remained illiterate. They are unaware of reading and writing skills. And the volume of school closures due to COVID-19 is likely to put the clock back to progress on access to education.

 

Progress in literacy remains slow in some developing regions due to high poverty, armed conflicts, and other emergencies. In Western Asia and North Africa, the endless armed battle has increased the number of children out of school. It is a worrying factor. While Sub-Saharan Africa made the highest progress in primary school enrollment among all developing regions – from 52 percent in 1990 to 78 percent in 2012 – but huge differences remain. Children from the poorest families are four times more likely to be out of school than the richest. Discrepancies between rural and urban areas also remain wide.

 

 

 

Investing in Quality Education for a Sustainable Future:

 

 

As we witness there are still roadblocks in achieving quality education across the world, we can do our part in accomplishing the goal by 2030, just 7 years remaining. How do we achieve this sustainability goal by 2030? Read on.

 

1. Empowering Individuals: Quality education empowers individuals to think critically, make informed decisions, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. It provides a foundation for lifelong learning and adaptability in an ever-changing world.

2. Gender Equality: Quality education is a powerful tool for promoting gender equality. When girls have equal access to education, it not only benefits them individually but also contributes to the overall development of their family, communities and societies.

3. Breaks the poverty cycle: Education is a key factor in breaking the cycle of poverty. It equips individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to secure better employment opportunities and improve their living standards.

4. Economic Growth: Education is a driver of economic growth. A skilled and educated workforce is essential for innovation, productivity, and the development of a knowledge-based economy.

 

Conclusion:

 

Investing in quality education is an investment for the future. As we work towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4, we are not only ensuring that every child has the opportunity to achieve their dream of good education, but we are also building the foundation for a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous world. Every nation must prioritize providing affordable education and unleash the potential of individuals and communities.