By Maria Papagiannopoulou,
The International Day of Education, which is observed annually on January 24th, honors the contribution that education makes to world peace and sustainable development.
There are many reasons why education is important. Knowledge is provided via education. People can learn more about themselves and the world around them. Additionally, education creates work opportunities. Unfortunately, more than 72 million kids worldwide lack access to education. Millions of kids and teenagers aren’t given the chance to finish their education.
Improved Educational Access
Education disparities are a problem in both developing and impoverished nations. An equal rights issue is one of the main reasons a youngster chooses not to attend school. Gender, health, and cultural identities are only a few of these injustices. In addition to racism, many nations lack the resources to construct schools. Many of these nations cannot offer educational supplies, even if they are fortunate enough to have schools. They struggle to pay their teachers as well. Students of all ages must study in the same large classroom due to a lack of funding and personnel.
Since individual needs cannot be catered for in education, dropout rates are high in these institutions. With 32 million uneducated youngsters, Sub–Saharan Africa is one of the most afflicted regions. Girls make up over 54% of youngsters who are illiterate. More than 80% of Yemeni females will never attend school.
Lack of education while children are young increases the likelihood that they will be unemployed as adults. The dominoes keep falling. Poverty results from a jobless existence. It’s also conceivable that the cycle will restart. Children in families with ignorant parents are more likely to suffer the same fate.
Making access to education a top priority for every nation is essential for breaking the cycle. Humans have a right to an education. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights published by the U.N. includes the right to education. According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, all citizens must have access to higher education.
Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms the right to education. The proclamation demands that elementary education be both free and required. Further mandating that all citizens have access to higher education, the 1989–adopted Convention on the Rights of the Child. The world community recognized the importance of education when it adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in September 2015 and all 17 of its goals. By 2030, SDG 4 specifically wants to “provide inclusive and equitable quality education and encourage lifelong learning opportunities for all.”
International Day of Education 2023 aims to generate debate around how to strengthen education as a public endeavour and common good, how to steer the digital transformation, support teachers, safeguard the planet and unlock the potential in every person to contribute to collective well–being and our shared home.
To participate in International Day of Education:
- Consider your own education and how it shaped you.
- Discuss with others why education is so vital for children.
- Give your children’s teachers a special treat.
- Write a thank you note to educators you know.
- Read about famous educators like Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Christa McAuliffe, Anne Sullivan and, Frederick Douglass.
Don’t forget to share this day on social media with #InternationalDayOfEducation.
References
- International Day of Education. internationaleventday.com. Available here
- International Day of Education. unesco.org. Available here
