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 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
  2. 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”
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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"
  10. 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
  11. News 8 June 2021

    The Caribbean Union of Teachers stands up for students on school examinations amid the pandemic

    The Caribbean Union of Teachers has been advocating for 2021 examinations in the region to be adapted to the challenging situation crated by the prolonged educational disruption. At the end of May, the umbrella organisation of teachers’ unions in the region won a first victory as the Caribbean Examinations Council...

    The Caribbean Union of Teachers stands up for students on school examinations amid the pandemic
  12. News 1 June 2021

    Germany: Successful petition demands more time to support students

    Over 15,000 people signed a petition organised by Education International’s German affiliates, the Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft (GEW) and the Verband Bildung und Erziehung (VBE), along with the Primary School Association (GSV, German acronym).

    Germany: Successful petition demands more time to support students
  13. News 30 May 2021

    Governments must put public education at the center of the post-COVID recovery

    For millions of students around the world, school closures will not represent a temporary interruption to their education but rather the abrupt end of it. This situation and other worrying information was revealed in a report published by the NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW), on the impact of the COVID-19...

    Governments must put public education at the center of the post-COVID recovery
  14. Statements 26 May 2021

    Israel and Palestine: Education International calls for immediate action to ensure lasting peace

    Education International Executive Board Statement

    While a ceasefire is critical to end this month’s violence between Israel and Hamas, it cannot lead to a lasting and permanent peace if the underlying causes of the violence remain unresolved. This is the moment for ending both the occupation and the blockade. It is critically important for rebuilding...

    Israel and Palestine: Education International calls for immediate action to ensure lasting peace
  15. Statements 26 May 2021

    India: Educators call for worldwide solidarity against the COVID-19 pandemic

    Education International Executive Board Resolution

    The Education International Executive Board, meeting online on 26 May 2021, Sadly notes that: 1. COVID 19 infections in India have surged since April 2021 and as of 11th May 2021, the Indian sub-continent accounts for almost 50% of the world’s new COVID cases;

    India: Educators call for worldwide solidarity against the COVID-19 pandemic
  16. News 15 May 2021

    World Education Support Personnel Day: Pandemic, Privatisation and Public Education

    Education International fixed 16 May of every year as a day to recognise Education Support Personnel (ESP). The day focuses on rights and status of these  education workers, has called attention internationally to the essential role of ESP.

    World Education Support Personnel Day: Pandemic, Privatisation and Public Education
  17. Worlds of Education 12 May 2021

    “Addressing the international data gap on teaching assistants”

    Rob Webster

    The international data tell us about almost nothing about education paraprofessionals, known as teaching assistants or teacher aides (TAs). As we approach International Education Support Personnel (ESP) day, UK academic, Rob Webster, considers how the drive to successfully including children with special educational needs in mainstream schools may depend on...

    “Addressing the international data gap on teaching assistants”