As the world marks the maiden edition of international education day, Nigeria and indeed other developing countries have been urged to commit funds to ensure inclusive, equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all which is what Sustainable Development Goal 4 is about.
António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General in his massage at the maiden celebration of International education day recently said there is need to prioritise education as a public good; support it with cooperation, partnerships and funding; and recognise that leaving no one behind starts with education.
He observe that at least 262 million children, adolescents and youth are out of school, most of them girls, adding that Millions more who attend school are not mastering the basics.
According to him, “This is a violation of their human right to education. The world cannot afford a generation of children and young people who lack the skills they need to compete in the 21st century economy, nor can we afford to leave behind half of humanity”.
Audrey Azoulay, director-General of UNESCO on the occasion of International Day of Education said that this significant decision recognises the capital role of education in “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.
Azoulay opines that without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all, countries will not succeed in breaking the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of children, youth and adults behind.
She stated that Nigeria and other developing countries will not succeed in mitigating climate change, adapting to the technological revolution, let alone achieve gender equality, without ambitious political commitment to universal education.
“This day is the occasion to reaffirm fundamental principles. Firstly, education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility”.
She further opines that education is the most powerful force in our hands to ensure significant improvements in health, to stimulate economic growth, to unlock the potential and innovation we need to build more resilient and sustainable societies.
She called for collective action for education at global level. “This calls for special attention to girls, to migrants, displaced persons and refugees; to support teachers and make education and training more gender responsive. It urgently requires scaled up domestic resources and international aid, because the cost of not investing will dig divides, inequalities and exclusion across societies” Azoulay said.
KELECHI EWUZIE
