UNDERSTANDING HOW YOU CAN DRIVE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 4 (EDUCATION)- Part 1

 In Education (SDG 4), GWI UPDATES, International

WHAT ARE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS)? 

Developed by the UN, its Member States, civil society and subject matter experts, the SDGs build on the momentum of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), continuing the most ambitious global human development program in the history of our society.

There are 17 SDGs that are integrated and indivisible and balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: the economic, social and environmental. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a global inter-governmental commitment and a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity to accomplish these goals.

HOW IS EDUCATION ARTICULATED IN THE 2030 AGENDA? 

Education is central to the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. SDG 4 – Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all– is a stand-alone goal with its 7 outcome targets and 3 means of implementation. And, SDG 4 has an universal agenda applicable to all countries both in the global North, as well as the global South.
Education is recognized as a goal that cuts across all other SDGs, driving their success. It is recognized within goals in health, gender equality, economic growth and employment, sustainable consumption and production, and climate change mitigation.

WHAT ARE THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES OF SDG 4?

  • Education is a fundamental human and an enabling right.
  • Education is a public good. The state is the main duty-bearer in protecting, respecting, and fulfilling the right to education.
  • Civil society, teachers and educators, the private sector, communities, families, youth and children all have important roles in realizing the right to quality education.
  • Gender equality is inextricably linked to the right to education for all.

WHAT ARE SDG 4’S SEVEN OUTCOME TARGETS FOR 2030? 

  1. Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education
  2. Ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education
  3. Ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education
  4. Substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship
  5. Eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable
  6. Ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy
  7. Ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development

WHAT ARE THE THREE DIMENSIONS OF IMPLEMENTATION FOR SDG 4? 

  1. Build and upgrade education facilities for inclusive and effective learning.
  2. Substantially expand globally the number of scholarships available to developing countries for enrollment in higher education.
  3. Substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries.

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SDG 4 AND EDUCATION FOR ALL (EFA)? 

SDG4 continues the EFA focus on quality basic education for all and broadens the agenda further to include post-basic education and training for youth and adults through equitable access to appropriate learning opportunities.

WHAT IS THE INCHEON DECLARATION? 

It constitutes the commitment of the education community to Education 2030, entrusts UNESCO to lead, coordinate and be the focal point for education within the overall SDG coordination.

WHAT IS THE EDUCATION 2030 FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION? 

The Framework for Action translates into practice the commitments made at Incheon at country, regional and global level and provides guidance for implementing Education 2030.

Question: What are the commitments that your country has made to the implementation of SDG 4? Ask your National/ Federal/ Central Department of Education or Ministry of Education! 

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