As UN declares January 24 International Day for Education

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The United Nations (UN) General Assembly in a resolution on 3 December 2018, adopted today, January 24, as International Day for Education aimed at commemorating the foundational role of education for peace and sustainable development.

“This day is the occasion to reaffirm fundamental principles. Firstly, education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility. Secondly, education is the most powerful force in our hands to ensure big improvements in health, to stimulate economic growth, to unlock the potential and innovation we need to build more resilient and sustainable societies. Lastly, we urgently need to call for collective action for education at the global level,” said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), on the occasion of the International Day for Education.

According to UNESCO, 262 million children and youth still do not attend school, globally, while 617 million children and adolescents cannot read and do basic math; less than 40% of girls in Sub-Saharan Africa complete lower secondary school and some four million children and youth refugees are out of school, worldwide. Thus, their right to education is being violated which is unacceptable.

The resolution 73/25 “International Day for Education,” was co-authored by Nigeria and 58 other member nations as a demonstration of their unwavering political will to support transformative actions for inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all with a view to enhance international cooperation in supporting efforts aimed at the realization of Sustainable Development Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

In dedicating a special day for education, the global community has affirmed the strategic role that access to quality education for all plays in building sustainable and resilient societies, as well as the successful realization of all the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).