Education is a fundamental human right. It empowers individuals, strengthens communities and fosters inclusive societies. At the heart of every nation’s mission, education is a lifelong process that equips learners with the knowledge, skills and values needed to build a better future. This article explains what you need to know about education, why it matters, and actions being taken by UNESCO and other organisations to ensure that everyone, everywhere, has access to quality learning.
In the eight decades since UNESCO and other organisations were established, the globe has witnessed tremendous advancements in the extension of access to education.Just around 47% of children worldwide between the ages of 5 and 14 were enrolled in school in 1950. With 90% of elementary school-age children and 86% of lower secondary school-age children enrolled in school today, that percentage has almost doubled.
Yet, despite the clear importance of education, it is at risk.
- Around the world, 273 million children and young people are out of school. Almost three-quarters live in Central and Southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
- Regional, economic, social and cultural barriers continue to limit opportunities, particularly for women and girls.
- Children with disabilities are 2.5 times more likely to have never attended school.
- Conflict severely disrupts education, with nearly a quarter of a billion crisis-affected children and adolescents in urgent need of learning opportunities.
- Extreme climate events disrupt schooling for millions of students worldwide.
UNESCO estimates that to achieve education for all by 2030, a child must enrol in school every two seconds from now on. Something that seemed very daunting to even think about all those years ago, but is more closer to being achieved than ever.
Why is education so important?
Education enables individuals to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to participate fully in society. Through teaching and learning, societies pass on essential knowledge, values and competencies across generations. Education builds foundational literacy and numeracy, strengthens social and emotional skills and equips people to make informed choices about their lives and their communities.
In addition to facilitating other essential human rights, education is one of the most effective means of helping marginalised children and adults escape poverty. It is the foundation of resilience, justice, and peace in the face of the most pressing global crises of our day. The right to education is safeguarded by international law and serves as the cornerstone of a democratic society.
Why is investing in education so important?
Education is one of the best investments a society can make for its future. Learning drives growth, reduces poverty, and increases earning potential. In developing countries, every US$1 invested in education generates US$10-US$15 in economic growth.
With access to quality education, learners go on to contribute financially and socially to their communities and drive local innovation. Since 1980, improvements in access to education have reduced extreme poverty by 40 per cent
The price of inaction is huge. Without the necessary literacy and numeracy skills provided through quality education, learners have fewer opportunities and are less likely to thrive. School dropouts and education gaps will cost the global economy up to $10 trillion a year by 2030.
Only four in 10 countries are meeting the 4 per cent of GDP benchmark for education spending, and international aid to education is projected to fall by a whopping 25% between 2023 and 2027. For low- and lower-middle-income countries, an estimated annual increase of $97 billion is needed to achieve the goal of quality education for all by 2030.
Investing in resilient education systems means investing in teachers. Without a well-trained, valued and supported teaching profession, there is no quality education.
UNESCO estimates that 44 million additional teachers need to be recruited by 2030 to achieve the goal of quality primary and secondary education for all. This means a global investment of $120 billion per year to cover the salaries of these new teachers.
How does education foster equality and social cohesion?
One of the main forces behind social and economic advancement is education. It gives both men and women the tools they need to break free from poverty, lessen inequality, and build the groundwork for sustainable development. Communities become more robust and self-sufficient when education systems are strengthened, which improves chances for coming generations. Long-term sustainability is strengthened by educational progress, which also speeds up improvements in gender equality, health, and climate resilience.
From early childhood education to higher education and beyond, education provides the fundamental skills that build and preserve the political, economic, and social fabric of society. The early years of education are particularly important because they pave the way for a successful lifelong learning journey.
Advancing education for girls and women is an important part of this process. It saves lives, reduces the risk of maternal and infant deaths, and child marriage. It also helps build more inclusive societies and close gender inequalities in the workforce, leading to greater social equality and economic prosperity.
What must be done to protect the right to education?
A comprehensive strategy that fortifies institutions, protects students, and preserves the values that constitute education a public good and a human right is needed to protect education.
Keeping schools safe against targeted assaults and all types of violence—in the classroom, in the community, and online—is another aspect of safeguarding education.
Due to its susceptibility to disruption, education must be given top priority during emergencies as a vital component of humanitarian response. More than 120 million people had been forcibly displaced by conflict, persecution, or natural disasters as of April 2025, the largest number ever documented.
How does UNESCO support education?
Education is UNESCO’s top priority because it lays the foundation for peace and sustainable development.
As the UN specialized agency for education, UNESCO is leading efforts in the progress towards the global education goal (SDG4), which calls for quality and inclusive education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.
UNESCO also monitors global progress to achieve SDG 4 through the Global Education Monitoring Report and uses its convening power to keep education high on the global political agenda through events such as the Global Education Meeting, the World Summit on Teachers and the annual Digital Learning Week.
Covering all aspects of education, UNESCO supports governments around the world to design and implement successful education policies, plans and practices.
From Guatemala to Nepal, Tanzania to Jordan – from pre-school to higher education – UNESCO’s projects and programmes in education are transforming the lives of people around the world.
To Conclude
I think the best way to conclude this article is to reiterate that while many people are shifting away from getting college degrees, it is still very necessary that every person does complete higher education. Some people are very privileged to go the whole 9 yards while others don’t have access to class rooms let alone higher education, in such a day and age where helping others has become as easy as tapping a button on your phone to send a donation, where transparency is no longer required but provided thanks to tons of AI softwares and the access of wifi in almost every part of the Earth, where we can be the change that we have always wanted to see in the world has become easier than ever, why must we not take the initiative? We have to realise that supporting someones education doesn’t mean that we have to donate tens of thousands of dollars otherwise there’s no point, underprivileged nations and socities have some of the cheapest education costs but that goes hand in hand with living conditions and average wage. Education in some places for a month for a single junior student costs as much as our coffee does in the US, do you not think we could spare 1 cup of coffee a month if not more to help said student? Do you not think that we could possibly sponsor the next mendela, the next nicola tesla, the next thomas edison? Someone that brings a revolutionary change? Let me know what you guys think in the comments! Would love to carry on this conversation, until then, be well. Heather signing out!
