Ei-iE

AP / vide
AP / vide

Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4

In 2015, all countries committed to achieving 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Education International played a critical role in securing a stand-alone goal for education - Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4): Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Significantly, SDG4 recognised that quality education can only be delivered by qualified teachers.

However, at the current pace, governments will fail to achieve SDG 4. The COVID-19 pandemic poses additional challenges, and risks reversing years of progress on education. Urgent and decisive action is imperative.

Together with our member organisations around the world we are working to ensure that governments live up to their promise to achieve SDG 4 and all its targets by 2030.

  • We monitor progress and hold governments accountable.
  • We advocate for enhanced domestic financing for public education through fair and progressive taxation and international aid.
  • We oppose corporate interests that treat education as a market instead of a public good accessible to all.
  • We promote quality education that is free from violence, develops the “whole child”, builds tolerance, understanding, democracy, respect for human rights and active citizenship for sustainable development.
  • We promote the achievement of the “teacher target” (target 4.c), underlining every students’ right to be taught by a trained and qualified teacher.

Our work in this area

  1. News 11 August 2021

    Nicaragua: Creating happier school environments to mitigate child labour

    The education union CGTEN-ANDEN is helping teachers in Nicaragua’s regions of León and La Dalia to diversify their teaching methods and use traditional music, dance and games to make school fun for students. The initiative is part of the union’s project to eradicate child labour.

    Nicaragua: Creating happier school environments to mitigate child labour
  2. Worlds of Education 28 July 2021

    No emergence of Africa without substantial public funding for education at the national level.

    Marième Sakho Dansokho

    As with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and regardless of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular, SDG4 aiming to provide everyone with quality education, are not likely to be achieved by 2030.

    No emergence of Africa without substantial public funding for education at the national level.
  3. News 20 July 2021

    Register today! Real talk: Teachers and young people as drivers of change on comprehensive sexual education and school-related gender-based violence

    How can school stakeholders work with governments to advance comprehensive sexuality education and help eradicate school-related gender-based violence? Join the conversation on 27 July, from 14:00 BST!

    Register today! Real talk: Teachers and young people as drivers of change on comprehensive sexual education and school-related gender-based violence
  4. News 15 July 2021

    Chad: the SET supporting teachers during the COVID-19 crisis

    Throughout the crisis, the Chad Teachers Union (SET, Syndicat des Enseignants du Tchad) has focused on listening to and supporting teachers. To this aim, the union carried out a large-scale survey to better understand the impact of the pandemic on teachers and to assess the effectiveness of distance learning.

    Chad: the SET supporting teachers during the COVID-19 crisis
  5. News 14 July 2021

    Facing the pandemic: Educators lead in solidarity for an equitable recovery

    Latest message from Education International General Secretary stresses the role of the education union movement in the fight against COVID-19 and climate change to further social justice, democracy and a sustainable future for all.

    Facing the pandemic: Educators lead in solidarity for an equitable recovery
  6. Video

    Education unions take action to end school-related gender-based violence

    12 July 2021

    Education union activists from nine countries across Africa share what they have learned about challenging gender-based violence in their schools, their communities, their unions and their national education systems.

  7. News 12 July 2021

    Educators in the Arab countries ready to rebuild education systems despite challenges

    The COVID-19 pandemic has caused massive loss of human life and an unprecedented challenge to public health, education systems and the economy in the Arab region. Education unions remain committed to quality education, advocating for their students and members and rebuilding with equity.

    Educators in the Arab countries ready to rebuild education systems despite challenges
  8. News 9 July 2021

    Arab educators and their unions ready to rebuild education and shape the future of their work

    The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the education sector, the future of work, climate change action, the protection of human and trade union rights, and safeguarding democracy were at the heart of discussions during the 5th Conference of Education International's Arab Countries Cross-Regional Structure (ACCRS).

    Arab educators and their unions ready to rebuild education and shape the future of their work
  9. Worlds of Education 7 July 2021

    “Education for Sustainable Development on the agenda”

    Siri Skjaeveland Lode

    I am a member of the Executive Board of Union of Education Norway, and I was so lucky to be part of Norway's delegation to the World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development , organized by UNESCO, from 17 to 19 May 2021. During three whole days, delegates from all...

    “Education for Sustainable Development on the agenda”
  10. News 7 July 2021

    Iraq: Social dialogue leads to a roadmap for quality education

    During their meeting with the Education Minister of the Iraqi region of Kurdistan, leaders the Kurdistan Teachers’ Union (KTU) were able to address several crucial educational issues. This led to the elaboration of a roadmap aiming to improve the educational system.

    Iraq: Social dialogue leads to a roadmap for quality education
  11. News 6 July 2021

    Nigeria: Education unions call for the immediate release of students after new attack

    Education International condemns the kidnapping of 140 students by gunmen in northwest Nigeria Kaduna state and urges public authorities to ensure their safe return to their families and communities. EI reiterates that schools must be safe havens, free from violence and intimidation.

    Nigeria: Education unions call for the immediate release of students after new attack
  12. News 29 June 2021

    Lebanon: Teacher unions committed to delivering quality education amidst worst economic crisis in 30 years

    Lebanon has been hit with two extraordinary crises in the past two years: the explosion of the Beirut port and the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, Lebanese educators and their unions have risen to the challenges presented by public health, economic, and refugee crises.

    Lebanon: Teacher unions committed to delivering quality education amidst worst economic crisis in 30 years
  13. News 28 June 2021

    Investing in the teaching profession is fundamental for a post-pandemic recovery

    As governments strive towards a response to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, they must include investments in quality public education and the teaching profession, said education advocates during a webinar organised by Education International (EI).

    Investing in the teaching profession is fundamental for a post-pandemic recovery
  14. News 15 June 2021

    G7 leaders commit to support girls’ education but fall short on financing the promise

    During last weekend’s meeting, G7 leaders announced their support for theGirls’ Education Declaration and committed to addressing the setbacks brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, financial commitments announced for the Global Partnership for Education are below the amount needed to ensure the most vulnerable have access to education.

    G7 leaders commit to support girls’ education but fall short on financing the promise
  15. Statements 12 June 2021

    Statement ATUC-EI | World Day Against Child Labour

    The Arab Trade Union Confederation and Education international have issued a statement concerning the Arab region on the occasion of World Day Against Child Labour, 12 June.

    Statement ATUC-EI | World Day Against Child Labour
  16. Worlds of Education 11 June 2021

    "The Alternatives Project: Education Justice for Societal Transformation"

    Steve Klees, Mark Ginsburg

    The coronavirus pandemic has upended many aspects of life, including education, around the world. Many students and teachers are still out of school, vaccine distribution is very slow, virus variants are developing, and the future course of the pandemic is uncertain. In particular, teachers have been greatly affected by the...

    "The Alternatives Project: Education Justice for Societal Transformation"
  17. News 8 June 2021

    Education research in the spotlight: COVID-19 recovery and the status of teachers in 2021

    On June 8 and 9, Education International is hosting the annual meeting of its Research Network which brings together education researchers from around the world. The first day of the meeting gave participants the opportunity to share updates on the latest research in the sector and featured a preview of...

    Education research in the spotlight: COVID-19 recovery and the status of teachers in 2021