Stalling of Progress Toward UN’s Education for All Goal

September 21, 2023

A new report from UNESCO reveals that slow progress on achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of education for all, combined with socio-economic pressures and the mass exclusion of girls from education in Afghanistan, has widened the global educational gap. The report states that there are now 250 million children not enrolled in school, an increase of six million since 2021. The report emphasizes the urgent need for action to protect the future of millions of children worldwide.

How does the report assess progress toward the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of education for all?

The report assesses progress toward SDG 4, which focuses on quality education for all. It highlights the need for significant increases in enrollment and teacher training to achieve this goal.

What actions are required to meet the SDG 4 targets according to UNESCO?

UNESCO emphasizes the need to enroll 1.4 million children in preschool each year until 2030 and to nearly triple primary completion rates. Additionally, at least 58 million more children, adolescents, and youth need to be enrolled in school, and 1.7 million more primary school teachers need to be trained to provide quality education.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted education globally, according to the report?

The report notes that the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions to education and led to a 10% drop in adult participation in formal and non-formal education in 57 mainly high-income countries. The pandemic highlighted the challenges in maintaining access to education during crises.

Which country stands out in terms of learning progress among low- and lower-middle-income countries, according to UNESCO?

Among low- and lower-middle-income countries that measure learning progress at the end of primary school, Vietnam is the only country where a majority of children achieved minimum proficiency in both reading and mathematics, according to the report.

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