SDG 4: Quality Education
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Facts:*
Enrolment in primary education in developing countries has reached 91%, but 57 million children remain out of school.
Children in the poorest households are 4 times as likely to be out of school as children in the richest households.
The world has achieved equality in primary education between girls and boys, but few countries have achieved that target at all levels of education.
Among youth aged 15 to 24, the literacy rate has improved globally from 83 per cent to 91 per cent between 1990 and 2015.
In 2020, as COVID-19 spreads across the globe, more than 190 countries have implemented nationwide school closures. About 90 per cent of all students (1.57 billion) were out of school. The sheer magnitude of school closures is likely to set back progress on access to education.
The pandemic has re-emphasized the ‘digital divide’ and the right to internet access, particularly for those in rural areas. Although distance learning solutions are provided in four out of five countries with school closures, at least 500 million children and youth are currently excluded from these options.
#OneOtherPerson: Help to build a network of informed, global citizens by sharing what you’ve learned about the SDGs. Become part of the network of critical thinkers sharing Global Citizenship Education throughout the world. Share the information with just #oneotherperson. When you have done that, ask them to share it with #oneotherperson and help the network grow. Use the hashtag to share the conversations you have and to be part of others conversations.*
Check inspiring projects of Changemakers Schools run by Ashoka, which networks, supports and promotes the work of schools preparing children to become changemakers of today's world. You can also use the Start Empathy toolkit shared on Ashoka website.
One of the important targets of SDG4 is Global Education (called also Development Education or Global Citizenship Education). As target 4.7 indicates, we need to „Ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.” Check the websites below to find diverse educational resources connected to Global Education, including instructions for educational exercises and workshop scenarios. Choose at least one and based on it organize an activity for children, youth or adults. 1. changemakertoolkit.wixsite.com/change 2. www.barefootguide.org/ 3. www.developmentperspectives.ie/saolta-resources
How much you actually know about the world and the challenges we are facing? Do the Factfullness test to check your knowledge and watch Hans and Ola Rosling TED talk to learn what you can do to get better results ;) -
More inspiration:
To read
Always Reading Caravan – a mobile library in Thailand which provides access to books to people who for various reasons are not able to come to libraries themselves (for example people with disabilities or members of mountains, isolated tribes, etc).
Cam.CEC – the strong belief in education motivated Dan to finish secondary school against the opinion of people from his own village. After few years he came back to Sandeck in Cambodia to start his English teaching project, which today support more than 400 students.
Asociacion Azul Solidario – creative ways of bringing high quality education to small rural schools of Argentina, developed by the unstoppable Veronica Torassa.
Share Toy and Udream – inspiring stories of Portuguese students contributing to a better world for all.
To watch
Why quality education matters – 1-minute introductory movie to SGD4*
Part of Global Education is to start to be aware of our limited views and single stories we may have about the world. Watch the powerful TED talk of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie to discover more:
Five TED talks in this link under the heading “The Importance of Educating Girls” which tell stories of the courage of women who have faced so many obstacles in accessing education in different countries*
For more info about other SDGs, have a look at here.
* These information and calls to action come from the fantastic Development Perspectives material about SDGs. Have a look here to discover more.
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