UN Chief Calls for “Dramatic Shift” to Address Global Education Crisis

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned of a global education crisis that requires urgent action to ensure a more peaceful, sustainable and just world.

More details in the following report:

Speaking at a special event on transforming education, part of the ongoing High-Level Political Forum, UN Chief António Guterres said around 84 million children are set to remain out of school by 2030 unless significant action is taken, the UN organization’s website reported.

“Given the stakes, the world cannot afford to short-change education,” Guterres said, noting that only a sixth of countries are on track to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 4 of ensuring quality education for all.

Guterres outlined several key challenges, including low secondary school completion rates, a lack of skills development for the modern world, and insufficient investment in early childhood and adult learning.

“It’s truly shocking that some 70 per cent of children in sub-Saharan Africa are unable to read a basic text by age 10,” he said.

The UN chief said developing countries would need to invest $100 billion annually to achieve the education goal, a figure that rises by 50% when accounting for the digital transformation of education systems.

Guterres warned that in many countries, governments spend more on debt servicing than on education or health.

The President of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis, echoed the call for urgent action, highlighting issues such as poverty, gender inequality and conflict as major barriers to quality education.

Guterres outlined a four-point plan to address the crisis, including closing financing and access gaps, supporting teachers, and revolutionizing education systems.

“Education is the single-most important investment any country can make. In its people. And in its future,” Guterres said. “So, let’s start walking the talk. Let’s come together to end the global crisis in education.”