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Why is education crucial to sustainable development? Uncover the mystery of SDG 4!
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a series of goals jointly pursued by countries around the world, of which the fourth goal (SDG 4) is crucial to the future of mankind. The main goal of SDG 4 is to ensure that all people have access to inclusive and equitable high-quality education and to promote opportunities for lifelong learning. This goal not only aims to improve learning opportunities for everyone, but also recognizes the key role of education in reducing inequalities and promoting sustainable development.
Education is the foundation for sustainable development, allowing individuals to have a better future and a stronger sense of social responsibility.
According to statistics, as of 2017, approximately 2.62 million children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 worldwide were not receiving education, and more than half of the children and adolescents did not meet basic proficiency standards in reading and mathematics. The lack of education makes this group of people face greater social and economic challenges, and the raging COVID-19 epidemic has exacerbated this inequality. School closures have deprived millions of children and young people of the opportunity to learn, with many falling behind their peers as a result.
The positioning and significance of SDG 4
Education is seen as a powerful driver of sustainable development. The goal of SDG 4 is not only to provide educational opportunities, but also to improve the quality of education, aiming to provide every learner with a fair learning environment regardless of gender, age or economic background. SDG 4 has ten specific goals, focusing on free compulsory education, eliminating gender discrimination, and promoting technical and vocational education.
Challenges faced
While many countries have made progress in promoting access to education, many challenges remain. In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, 88% of children are not proficient in reading and 84% do not meet minimum standards in mathematics. This situation shows that although enrollment rates have increased, the quality of education has not necessarily improved.
The goal of education should be to focus on all-round development and skill development, not just an increase in enrollment.
The impact of the new coronavirus epidemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has closed schools around the world, affecting more than 90% of learners. This crisis has not only revealed the fragility of the education system, but also the importance of digital technology in education. It is estimated that one-third of children do not have access to necessary digital learning tools during the epidemic, which has led to further inequality in educational opportunities.
In order to respond to this challenge, UNESCO launched the "COVID-19 Global Education Alliance" in 2020, with the purpose of promoting global cooperation, finding new education solutions, and ensuring that education will not be interrupted due to the epidemic.
Work together to achieve SDG 4
Achieving SDG 4 requires countries to increase investment in education, especially developing countries. In addition, international cooperation and partnerships are crucial. Only through collaborative efforts can we truly eliminate inequalities in education.
Education is not just the transfer of knowledge, it is the cornerstone of cultivating future citizens and leaders. Through education, students can not only possess professional skills, but also develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, which will directly affect their career success and social status.
Promote sustainable development education so that learners can acquire the knowledge and skills to promote a more equal and sustainable world.
Conclusion
In general, education plays an irreplaceable role in global sustainable development. There is no doubt that with the advancement of technology and social changes, education in the future will be more diversified and flexible to adapt to changing needs. What we must think about is: Can the current education system really provide every child with the knowledge and skills they need?
