Commitments made last year at a landmark UN conference to transform education globally must be translated into action, Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday in his message to mark the International Day of Education.
He called for countries to deliver education systems “That can support equal societies, dynamic economies and the limitless dreams of every learner in the world.”
“Now is the time to end all discriminatory laws and practices that hinder access to education.
“I call on the Taliban to reverse the outrageous and self-defeating ban on access to secondary and higher education for girls and women in Afghanistan.
Data from the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) shows that some 244 million boys and girls are still out of school this year.
Additionally, 70 percent of 10-year-olds in low and middle-income countries are unable to read and understand a simple text.
The theme for International Day this year is “To Invest in People, Prioritize Education”.
Special focus is being given to girls and women in Afghanistan who have been prohibited from attending secondary school and university in the wake of the Taliban takeover in August 2021.
The Secretary-General said education is a fundamental human right and the bedrock of societies, economies, and every person’s potential.
However, he warned that this potential will “wither on the vine” without adequate investment.
“It has always been shocking to me that education has been given such a low priority in many government policies and international cooperation instruments,” he commented.
Mr. Guterres recalled that at the Transforming Education Summit, held last September, countries gathered together to “reimagine education systems so every learner accesses the knowledge and skills required to succeed.”
More than 130 nations made commitments to ensure that universal quality education becomes a central pillar of public policies and investments.
The Summit outcomes included a Call to Action on Educational Investment, as well as the establishment of the International Financing Facility for Education.
Several global initiatives were launched there, including mobilizing support for education in crisis settings, girls’ education, transforming teaching, and ‘green’ education systems.
End discriminatory laws
“Now is the time for all countries to translate their Summit commitments into concrete actions that create supportive and inclusive learning environments for all students,” said Mr. Guterres.
“Now is also the time to end all discriminatory laws and practices that hinder access to education,” he added.
“I call on the de facto authorities in Afghanistan in particular to reverse the outrageous and self-defeating ban on access to secondary and higher education for girls.”
