What Is The International Day of Education?

Education is a fundamental human right, a public good and a civic responsibility to make sure knowledge is disseminated to each generation if we are to improve the lives of individuals and push the human race forward. We have made great strides in the past few years to improve access to education, but this human necessity is still out of reach for many the world over.

To improve the state of education and the lack thereof in certain parts of the world, we need to drive awareness which is why the UN decided to declare a day to celebrate this the role of education.

Education has a new day in 2019

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development. Without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all, countries will not succeed in achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of children, youth and adults behind.

According to UN statistics as of today, 262 million children and youth still do not attend school; 617 million children and adolescents cannot read and do basic math; less than 40% of girls in sub-Saharan Africa complete lower secondary school and some four million children, and youth refugees are out of school. Their right to education is being violated, and it is unacceptable.

As the world marks the very first International Education Day, UNESCO calls on governments and all partners to make universal quality education a leading priority. Education is a human right. The right to education is enshrined in article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The declaration calls for free and compulsory elementary education

The Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, goes further to stipulate that countries shall make higher education accessible to all. 

Education is the key to sustainable development

When it adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in September 2015, the international community recognised that education is essential for the success of all 17 of its goals. Sustainable Development Goal 4, in particular, aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” by 2030.

Challenges to achieving universal education

Education offers children a ladder out of poverty and a path to a promising future. However, about 265 million children and adolescents around the world do not have the opportunity to enter or complete school.

The unfortunate fact is that more than a fifth of them are of primary school age. These kids are at risk by being thwarted by poverty, discrimination, armed conflict, emergencies and the effects of climate change. Migration and forcible displacement also affect the achievement of the education goals, as presented in the 2019 Global Education Monitoring report.

Celebrating the first International Day of Education in 2019

Education is a human right The right to education is enshrined in article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and by proclaiming the International Day of Education, UN member states recognised the importance of working to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels.

This is to ensure that all people may have access to lifelong learning opportunities that help them to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to access opportunities to participate fully in society and contribute to sustainable development.

How will you be celebrating International Day of education?

Educational or training institutes the world over need to look at embracing this day as a way to reach out the local community and improve enrollment rates. This could be through sponsorships or bursaries to help underprivileged youth receive opportunities to learn valuable skills and enter the workforce.

If you're providing education in a non-profit capacity, I would highly recommend you apply for a Google Grant to help spread the word on your initiatives.

Are you looking to further your education?

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