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Global Education Crisis Demands Immediate Action, Says UN Secretary-General
On 11 July 2024, during a Special Event on Transforming Education at the High Level Political Forum (HLPF), UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the urgent need for a “dramatic shift” in global education. This call to action aims to create a more peaceful, sustainable, and just world through genuine learning environments from childhood to adulthood.
The event serves as a precursor to the upcoming Summit of the Future in September. Guterres emphasized that the current state of global education is inadequate, with 84 million children projected to be out of school by 2030 unless significant changes are made. This situation jeopardizes the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
Currently, only one-sixth of countries are on track to meet the SDG4 target of universal access to quality education. Guterres pointed out several critical issues, such as slow secondary level completion rates, insufficient skill development for a changing world, and the optional status of early childhood and adult learning. He highlighted the alarming statistic that 70% of children in sub-Saharan Africa cannot read a basic text by age 10.
Financial constraints further exacerbate the crisis. UNESCO estimated that developing nations need to invest $100 billion annually to achieve SDG4, with an additional 50% required for digital education transformation. Guterres noted that many countries spend more on debt servicing than on education or health.
Despite commitments from over 140 countries at the Transforming Education Summit in 2022, progress remains slow and uneven. Guterres proposed a four-point plan to address the crisis, focusing on closing financing and access gaps, supporting teachers, and revolutionizing education systems. He stressed that education is essential for sustainable development, peace, and human rights.
President of the General Assembly, Dennis Francis, echoed Guterres’ sentiments, emphasizing the need for inclusive, equitable, and lifelong learning opportunities. He highlighted the dire state of education in South Sudan, the denial of girls’ education in Afghanistan, and the impact of conflict on education in Ukraine and Gaza.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed reinforced the message that education is crucial for achieving common goals in sustainable development. She urged global leaders to take decisive action to end the education crisis.
Guterres concluded by stating, “Education is the single-most important investment any country can make. In its people. And in its future. Let’s come together to end the global crisis in education.”