UNITED NATIONS, Jul 12 (APP): The global crisis in education needs a \u201cdramatic shift\u201d to shape a more peaceful, sustainable, and just world, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said.<\/p>\n
The UN chief was taking part in a Special Event on Transforming Education \u2013 part of the ongoing High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) and looking ahead of the upcoming Summit of the Future in September.<\/p>\n
Thursday\u2019s event was a call to action, with the UN chief calling on all countries to make a concerted effort to establish genuine learning environments that will provide learning opportunities from childhood to adult stages.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven the stakes, the world cannot afford to short-change education,\u201d Guterres said. \u201cBut by nearly every measure, that is exactly what we are doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The UN chief said that around 84 million children are set to remain out of school by 2030 \u2013 unless action is taken to transform education worldwide.<\/p>\n
That means that Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) which aims to \u201censure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all\u201d is unlikely to be reached.<\/p>\n
Currently, only a sixth of countries are on courses to achieve the SDG4 target of universal access to quality education.<\/p>\n
Guterres also noted that completion rates at a secondary level are rising far too slowly, learners are not equipped with the skills they need to succeed in a changing world, and early childhood and adult learning are often seen as optional.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s truly shocking that some 70 per cent of children in sub-Saharan Africa are unable to read a basic text by age 10,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Secretary-General said that financing to provide quality education is also insufficient to meet the challenge.<\/p>\n
In 2023, the UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) estimated that developing nations would need to invest $100 billion annually to achieve SDG4. This amount increases by about 50 per cent when costs for the digital transformation of education are considered.<\/p>\n
Further, Guterres said that four of every 10 people globally live in nations where governments spend more on debt servicing than on education or health.<\/p>\n
He said that over 140 countries committed to turning this crisis around at the Transforming Education Summit in 2022.<\/p>\n
But \u201cprogress is far too slow and uneven. Something has to change.\u201d<\/p>\n
President of the General Assembly, Dennis Francis, echoed the Secretary-General\u2019s statements on the need for transformation.<\/p>\n
He recalled recent visits to South Sudan where he said he learned about the \u201cdire poverty of education evident from the fact that at least 70 per cent of eligible children are out of school.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also noted that the denial of a girl\u2019s right to education in Afghanistan and the inability to access education in Ukraine and Gaza due to constant attacks are clear indicators of an intractable crisis.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeyond access, we must ensure quality education for all fostering inclusive, equitable and lifelong learning opportunities that empower every individual to thrive in a rapidly changing world,\u201d Francis said. \u201cWe must combine our political will, with clear targeted actions to decisively address these urgent needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Secretary-General Guterres has a four-point plan at the special event on education to end the global education crisis and build momentum towards achieving SDG4 by 2030.<\/p>\n
This includes closing the financing and access gap nationwide, supporting teachers on the frontlines of education and revolutionising education systems, the UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEducation has got to be in the mix to shape that,\u201d Ms. Mohammed said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe message today is clear: Education is intrinsic to the achievement of our common goals in sustainable development, peace and human rights,\u201d she concluded, adding that education speaks to the very fabric of our societies and it has an essential contribution to make.
\n\u201cEducation is the single-most important investment any country can make. In its people. And in its future,\u201d the UN chief said in his closing remarks.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, let\u2019s start walking the talk. Let\u2019s come together to end the global crisis in education.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
UNITED NATIONS, Jul 12 (APP): The global crisis in education needs a \u201cdramatic shift\u201d to shape a more peaceful, sustainable, and just world, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said. The UN chief was taking part in a Special Event on Transforming Education \u2013 part of […]<\/p>\n
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