Sustainable Development Goal 4
Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4 or Global Goal 4) is about quality education and is among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in September 2015.[1] The full title of SDG 4 is "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all".[2]
Sustainable Development Goal 4
"Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all"
No
Global
2015
SDG 4 has 10 targets which are measured by 11 indicators. The seven outcome targets are: free primary and secondary education; equal access to quality pre-primary education; affordable technical, vocational and higher education; increased number of people with relevant skills for financial success; elimination of all discrimination in education; universal literacy and numeracy; and education for sustainable development and global citizenship. The three means of implementation targets[3] are: build and upgrade inclusive and safe schools; expand higher education scholarships for developing countries; and increase the supply of qualified teachers in developing countries.
SDG 4 aims to provide children and young people with quality and easy access to education plus other learning opportunities. One of its targets is to achieve universal literacy and numeracy. A major component in acquiring knowledge and valuable skills in the learning environment. Hence, the urgent need to build more educational facilities and also upgrade the present ones to provide safe, inclusive, and effective learning environments for all.[4]
Major progress has been made in access to education, specifically at the primary school level, for both boys and girls. In terms of the progress made, global participation in tertiary education reached 225 million in 2018, equivalent to a gross enrollment ratio of 38%.[5]: 236
Links with other SDGs[edit]
Achieving SDG 4 will help to achieve many other SDGs: eradicate poverty (SDG 1), achieve gender equality (SDG 5), ensure good health and wellbeing (SDG 3), reduce inequalities among countries (SDG 10), promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all (SDG 8), build resilient infrastructure and foster innovation (SDG 9), ensure access to information and awareness for sustainable consumption and style of production in harmony with nature (SDG 12), provide education and awareness toward taking urgent action to combat climate change (SDG 13), and promote peaceful and inclusive societies (SDG 16).
Monitoring and progress[edit]
An annual report is prepared by the Secretary-General of the United Nations evaluating the progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.[27]
Established in 2002, the Global Education Monitoring Report is an editorially independent report, hosted and published by UNESCO.[38] It monitors the implementation of national and international strategies to help hold all relevant partners to account for their commitments, as part of the overall SDG follow-up and review process.
Progress is difficult to track as 75 percent of countries have no or insufficient data to track all the SDG 4 targets.[10] This makes it hard to analyze and identify the children at greatest risk of being left behind. A 2019 study used computer modeling to estimate educational attainment for men and women from 2000 to 2017, mapping the results for each country to help identify areas lagging behind.[39]
Massive open online courses (MOOCs) are free open education offered through online platforms. The initial philosophy of MOOCs was to open up quality Higher Education to a wider audience. As such, MOOCs are an important tool to achieve SDG 4.[40] At the same time, MOOCs also contribute to Goal 5, in that they are gender-neutral and can give women and girls improved access to education.[40]
Organizations that are involved in ensuring quality education is achieved include: