QUALITY EDUCATION:

 

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all:

SDG 4 emphasizes that, not only is education a human right, but quality education, relevant training, and opportunities for lifelong learning should be accessible to all. Achieving SDG 4 requires an improvement in the quality of education across the social spectrum, to ensure access to economic opportunities and better income prospects for all.

Education provides people with the knowledge and skills to increase employment prospects, reduce poverty and improve health and wellbeing.

While 91% of children in developing countries are enrolled in primary school, 57 million children are missing out, of whom more than half are from sub-Saharan Africa. Of the 103 million young people who don't have basic literacy skills, more than half are women. Education access and quality is particularly disrupted for people living in poverty or remote areas, and those living in refugee camps or in countries with political and financial instability

Goal 4 is closely tied to gender equality, as millions of girls and women across the world are either denied or only given a limited education.  Being unable to access educational opportunities can significantly impact on women and girls' ability to earn an income and provide for their families. A lack of education can also result in reduced health and wellbeing, increased social isolation and the ability to take part in decision-making processes.

There are many ambitious targets to be met by 2030, including: all girls and boys to complete free, quality primary and secondary school education; all people to have access to quality and affordable technical, vocational and tertiary education, and the elimination of gender discrimination so that girls and women have equal opportunities to access education.