Education transforms lives Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equalityUNESCO Education Sector Education is UNESCO’s top priority because it is a basic human right and the foundation on which to build peace and drive sustainable development. UNESCO is the United Nations’ specialized agency for education and the Education Sector provides global and regional leadership in education, strengthens national education systems and responds to contemporary global challenges through education with a special focus on gender equality and Africa. The Global Education 2030 Agenda UNESCO, as the United Nations’ specialized agency for education, is entrusted to lead and coordinate the Education 2030 Agenda, which is part of a global movement to eradicate poverty through 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Education, essential to achieve all of these goals, has its own dedicated Goal 4, which aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” The Education 2030 Framework for Action provides guidance for the implementation of this ambitious goal and commitments. Published in 2019 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 7, place de Fontenoy 75352 Paris 07 SP, France © UNESCO 2019 This booklet is available in Open Access under the Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 IGO (CC-BY-SA 3.0 IGO) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/igo/). By using the content of this booklet, the users accept to be bound by the terms of use of the UNESCO Open Access Repository (http://www.unesco.org/open- access/terms-use-ccbysa-en). The present license applies exclusively to the text content of the booklet. For use of any other material (i.e. images, illustrations, charts) not clearly identified as belonging to UNESCO or as being in the public domain, prior permission shall be requested from UNESCO ([email protected]). The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this booklet do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.  The ideas and opinions expressed in this booklet are those of the authors; they are not necessarily those of UNESCO and do not commit the Organization. Cover photo: Getty/Kerkez Graphic design: Ana Carrasco-Martin Printed by UNESCO Printed in FranceEducation transforms lives Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality Education transforms lives - Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality This brochure compiles the main elements of progress on Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) highlighted in the submission by UNESCO, on behalf of the SDG-Education 2030 Steering Committee, to the Office of the Under-Secretary-General, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) on the occasion of the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) 2019 - Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality. The SDG-Education 2030 Steering Committee UNESCO convenes the SDG-Education 2030 Steering Committee. The Committee is the global multi-stakeholder consultation and coordination mechanism for education in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Its primary objective is to harmonize and strengthen support to countries and their partners for the realization of the global education goal and targets. Hosted by UNESCO, the Steering Committee is composed of 44 members representing a majority from countries, the World Education Forum 2015 convening agencies (UNESCO, UNDP, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UN Women, ILO, and the World Bank), the Global Partnership for Education, the OECD, regional organizations, teacher organizations, civil society networks, foundations and youth organizations.2 Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality What is SDG 4 – Education 2030? SDG 4 Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” Education 2030 is the entire global agenda including SDG 4 as well as other goals that reference education SDG 4 TEN TARGETS Target 4.1 Free quality primary and secondary education Target 4.2 Quality early childhood development, care and education for school readiness Target 4.3 Affordable and quality technical, vocational and higher education Target 4.4 Increase the number of people with the relevant skills for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship Target 4.5 Eliminate all discrimination in education Target 4.6 Universal literacy and numeracy Target 4.7 Education for sustainable development and global citizenship Target 4.a Inclusive and safe schools Target 4.b Expand higher education scholarships for developing countries Target 4.c Increase the supply of quality teachers META CENTROS EDUCATIVOS INCLUSIVOS Y SEGUROS META INCREMENTAR EL NÚMERO DE BECAS DE EDUCACIÓN SUPERIOR PARA LOS PAÍSES EN DESARROLLO3 SDG 4 ― Education 2030 SDG 4 TEN TARGETS Target 4.1 Free quality primary and secondary education Target 4.2 Quality early childhood development, care and education for school readiness Target 4.3 Affordable and quality technical, vocational and higher education Target 4.4 Increase the number of people with the relevant skills for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship Target 4.5 Eliminate all discrimination in education Target 4.6 Universal literacy and numeracy Target 4.7 Education for sustainable development and global citizenship Target 4.a Inclusive and safe schools Target 4.b Expand higher education scholarships for developing countries Target 4.c Increase the supply of quality teachers THE FIVE OTHER SDGs WITH DIRECT REFERENCE TO EDUCATION HEALTH Target 3.7 Comprehensive sexuality education and care GENDER Target 5.6 Sexual and reproductive health care, information and education WORK Target 8.6 Promote youth employment, education and training CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION Target 12.8 Promote sustainable consumption and production patterns CLIMATE ACTION Target 13.3 Improve education and awareness on climate change mitigation4 Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality Who is responsible for SDG 4 - Education 2030? Everyone has a stake in ensuring the right to inclusive quality education for all Governments need to engage stakeholders at all stages from planning to monitoring progress, such as: Governments have a primary responsibility in ensuring the right to education Teachers should be consulted in the development, implementation, evaluation and monitoring of education Youth are both beneficiaries and agents of change Private sector actors provide technical expertise and resources Civil society actors must be engaged and involved at all stages Investment in teachers and wider learning opportunities Legislation and policies for equitable and inclusive education LAW 1 year free and compulsory pre-primary education 12 years free, quality primary and secondary education of which 9 years are compulsory Governments need to ensure... 15 - 20% of public expenditure should go to education 4 - 6% of GDP should go to education Source: 2017/8 Global Education Monitoring Report5 SDG 4 ― Education 2030 Education has the potential to be a great equalizer in society by transforming individuals' lives and driving progress towards sustainable development How education equalizes, includes, and empowers Education helps young people understand and adapt to climate change, and gain the attitudes and skills to seek solutions Eliminating discrimination in and through education policies, practices, and resource allocation reduces inequality within and between countries Higher levels of education increase people’s chances of securing decent work Education is a key mechanism in promoting tolerance and trust How is education being prioritized Research from the Global Education Monitoring Report shows that governments are aligning their national targets with SDG 4 and striving to renew education systems out of 111 countries emphasize education in national development (2016 - 2018) 56 Education is one of the most consistently discussed goals in countries ’ Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) on SDG implementation Education is a key driver for sustainable development Governments see education contributing to human capital and social development Source: Beyond Commitments: How countries are implementing SDG 4 (GEMR, 2019)6 Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality Leaving no child behind Millions of children, young people, and adults left behind Early childhood education is not universal Participation rate in organised learning (one year before the official primary entry age), by region (%) (2017 or latest year available) Sub-Saharan Africa Northern Africa and Western Asia Eastern and South-eastern Asia Oceania Central Asia Latin America and the Caribbean 42% 52% 56% 87% 83% Europe and Northern America 95% 95% World 69% 262 Million 6 to 17 year olds were still out of school in 2017 While out-of-school numbers continue to decrease, the trend is slowing down 36% Upper secondary Since 2015 Despite some progress, the world is not on track to achieve the SDG 4 goal and its targets Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics database, September 2018 Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics database, September 2018 16% Lower secondary Since 2012 9% Primary Since 20087 SDG 4 ― Education 2030 Ministries of education can no longer consider numbers of children in school as the sole objective In the face of a global learning crisis, simply focusing on access is not sufficient Schooling ≠ Learning ! Children and adolescents are not learning 617 million of which 2/3 or 411 million are in school GLOBAL LEARNING CRISIS More than half (58%) of children and adolescents are not learning worldwide or attaining minimum proficiency levels in reading and mathematics Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics fact sheet no. 46 (UIS, 2017)8 Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality Technical and vocational education and training is not widespread globally Proportion of 15 - 24 year-olds enrolled in vocational education Large differences between regions in higher education participation Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education Youth are still excluded from opportunities to learn the necessary skills for work and life Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics database, September 2018 Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics database, September 2018 Sub-Saharan Africa Northern Africa and Western Asia Eastern and South-eastern Asia Oceania Central and Southern Asia Latin America and the Caribbean 44% 25% 46% 79% Europe and Northern America 51% 77% World 38% 9% Sub-Saharan Africa Northern Africa and Western Asia Eastern and South-eastern Asia Oceania Central and Southern Asia Latin America and the Caribbean 13% Europe and Northern America World 1% 8% 1% 6% 4% 10% 2% Leaving no youth behind9 SDG 4 ― Education 2030 Adult education and access to lifelong learning opportunities will become ever more important as technologies change and skill demands shift Illiterate adults globally 750 Million 4% 9% 10% 27% 49% 1% Latin America & the Caribbean Sub-Saharan Africa Southern Asia Rest of the World Northern Africa & Western Asia Eastern & South- eastern Asia Southern Asia is home to approximately 50% of the global illiterate population Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics database, September 2018 2/3 of whom are women remained illiterate in 2016 Leaving no adult behind10 Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality Countries with the greatest needs should be given a larger share of aid The lack of sufficent funding for education is a particular challenge for low income countries Households in low income countries bear the largest financial burden, accounting for approximately 30% of the education expenditure share in low and lower middle-income countries Funding gap US $39 billion 29% Low income 24% Lower middle income 25% Upper middle income 18% High income Distribution of total household spending on education by country income group However, aid is not going to those most in need of global education spending goes to high income countries 65% Source: 2019 Global Education Monitoring Report Leaving no country behind11 SDG 4 ― Education 2030 What needs to be done WE CALL ON GOVERNMENTS TO LAW W Strengthen collective action on SDG 4 within the 2030 Agenda, recognizing the role of education to transform lives, maintain peace, and protect the planet Allocate sufficient resources to youth and adult literacy programmes targeted to people most in need Increase cooperation across sectors, and between humanitarian and development actors and ensure that at least 4% of humanitarian aid is allocated to education Include migrants, displaced persons, and refugees in national education systems and facilitate the recognition of their skills and qualifications Empower all girls and women through gender-responsive education sector planning Strengthen education for global citizenship and sustainable development to promote values of respect and competences for shaping more peaceful and sustainable societies Design curricula, learning materials, teacher education, and assessment systems that promote a wider vision of learning - beyond basic skills Ensure that all teachers are adequately prepared and supported to deliver quality education for all, including through higher education and research Mobilize resources to meet the twin benchmarks for financing education, prioritizing resources towards those most in need: 4 - 6% of GDP and 15 - 20% of public expenditure to educationEducation transforms lives Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality Education is a human right, a public good, and a public responsibility. It is the most powerful force in our hands to ensure significant improvements in health, stimulate economic growth, achieve gender equality, unlock the innovation we need to build more resilient and sustainable societies. This is why we urgently need strengthened collective action for education. Audrey Azoulay Director-General, UNESCO Stay in touch UNESCO 7, place de Fontenoy 75352 Paris France https://en.unesco.org/education2030-sdg4 https://sdg4education2030.org/ [email protected] @UNESCO @Education2030UN https://www.facebook.com/unesco ED-2019/WS/35