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Vision Statement of Secretary-General on Transforming Education

Recognizing that education is a human right and a foundation for peace, tolerance, other human rights and sustainable development, the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General convened world leaders for the Transforming Education Summit (TES) on Monday 19 September 2022, as a key milestone in the advancement of Our Common Agenda.

At this event, the Secretary-General António Guterres shared his VIsion Statement on the subject: 

" Education is a fundamental human right. It has long held a special place in the hearts and minds of people across the world, and for good reason. Throughout history, it has been a source of personal dignity and empowerment and a driving force for the advancement of social, economic, political, and cultural development. Yet today, beset by inequalities and struggling to adjust to the needs of the 21st century, education is in crisis. The impacts of this crisis play out over time and often go unseen. But they are profound and will be felt for decades to come. If we are to transform our world by 2030 as envisaged by the Sustainable Development Goals, then the international community must give this crisis the attention it deserves. We must respond decisively, with conviction, imagination and in solidarity to transform education. Informed by an extensive and inclusive preparatory process, we offer this vision statement to Member States and the global public to support our joint efforts towards that transformation, to contribute to the upcoming Summit of the Future, and as a manifesto for collective action ."

The  Vision Statement  is posted on the  summit website  and the one-stop  UNGA High-level Week page , which features key events and relevant press kits in all official languages.    

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UN chief calls for ‘dramatic shift’ to transform education worldwide

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The global crisis in education needs a “dramatic shift” to shape a more peaceful, sustainable and just world, the UN Secretary-General said on Thursday.

António Guterres was taking part in a  Special Event on Transforming Education – part of the on-going High Level Political Forum ( HLPF ) and looking ahead of the upcoming  Summit of the Future in September.

The event was a call to action, with the UN chief calling on all countries to make a concerted effort to establish genuine learning environments that will provide learning opportunities from childhood to adult stages.

“ Given the stakes, the world cannot afford to short-change education ,” Mr. Guterres said . “But by nearly every measure, that is exactly what we are doing.”

Global challenges

The UN chief said that around 84 million children are set to remain out of school by 2030 - unless action is taken to transform education worldwide.

That means that Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) which aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” is unlikely to be reached.

Currently, only a sixth of countries are on courses to achieve the SDG4 target of universal access to quality education.

Mr. Guterres also noted that completion rates at a secondary level are rising far too slowly, learners are not equipped with the skills they need to succeed in a changing world, and early childhood and adult learning are often seen as optional.

“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.

Financial roadblocks

The Secretary-General said that financing to provide quality education is also insufficient to meet the challenge.

In 2023, the UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO ) estimated that developing nations would need to invest $100 billion annually to achieve SDG4 . This amount increases by about 50 per cent when costs for the digital transformation of education are considered.

Further, Mr. Guterres said that four of every 10 people globally live in nations where governments spend more on debt servicing than on education or health.

He said that over 140 countries committed to turning this crisis around at the Transforming Education Summit in 2022.

But “progress is far too slow and uneven. Something has to change. ”

Poverty and gender

President of the General Assembly , Dennis Francis, echoed the Secretary-General’s statements on the need for transformation.

He recalled recent visits to South Sudan where he said he learned about the “dire poverty of education evident from the fact that at least 70 per cent of eligible children are out of school.”

He also noted that the denial of a girl’s right to education in Afghanistan and the inability to access education in Ukraine and Gaza due to constant attacks are clear indicators of an intractable crisis.

“Beyond access, we must ensure quality education for all fostering inclusive, equitable and lifelong learning opportunities that empower every individual to thrive in a rapidly changing world,” Mr Francis said. “We must combine our political will, with clear targeted actions to decisively address these urgent needs.”

‘Let’s start walking the talk’

Secretary-General Guterres has a four-point plan at the special event on education to end the global education crisis and build momentum towards achieving SDG4 by 2030.

This includes closing the financing and access gap nationwide, supporting teachers on the frontlines of education and and revolutionising education systems, the UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said.

“Education has got to be in the mix to shape that,” Ms. Mohammed said.

“ The message today is clear: Education is intrinsic to the achievement of our common goals in sustainable development, peace and human rights ,” she concluded, adding that education speaks to the very fabric of our societies and it has an essential contribution to make.

Mr. Guterres said, “ Education is the single-most important investment any country can make . In its people. And in its future,” in his closing remarks.

“So, let’s start walking the talk. Let’s come together to end the global crisis in education.”

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Transforming Education Essential to Unlocking Safer, More Equal, Peaceful Future, Secretary-General Says in Message for Paris Summit

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the Transforming Education Pre-Summit, in Paris today:

Education is a fundamental human right, central to the dignity and empowerment of individuals, to driving sustainable development, and to building peace.  Any solution to the world’s problems starts with education, the greatest tool we have to fulfil and grow human potential.

Our world is facing a multitude of crises, from the COVID-19 pandemic to climate catastrophe; from increased conflict to rising debt and unequal access to resources for recovery.  Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals has been derailed.  People’s trust in Governments and institutions is being undermined.

My report on Our Common Agenda set out the choice facing us:  between a breakdown scenario of growing tensions, environmental degradation, climate chaos and instability; and a breakthrough towards a safer, more equal and peaceful future.  The transformation of education is essential to unlock that breakthrough.

This Pre-Summit is our chance to build momentum and generate ideas to set out a new path for education at the Transforming Education Summit in September.  A path that delivers new political commitment to action.  A path that places education at the heart of sustainable, inclusive, resilient economies and societies.

Today, in developing and developed countries alike, many education systems are in deep crisis.  First, this is a crisis of equity.  Over 258 million children are out of school, the majority of them girls.  And education experiences and results are profoundly affected by displacement, disability, income, geography, race and gender.  A public good that has long been seen as the great equalizer now risks becoming the great divider.

Second, this is a crisis of quality.  Too many students in school are not learning foundational skills.  Half of all 10-year-old students in low- and middle-income countries are unable to read a basic text.  A damning statistic that is deteriorating further because of the pandemic.

And third, this is a crisis of relevance.  Today’s education systems are often stuck in the past.  Outdated curricula, outdated teacher training, and outdated teaching methods leave students without the skills to navigate today’s fast-changing world; to deal with the digital revolution; to thrive in a rapidly changing labour market; to respond to the climate crisis; to live in harmony with themselves and each other; and to contribute to nation-building and strengthening democratic societies.  Any country that is not actively conducting a root and branch overhaul of their education systems today risks being left behind tomorrow.

The Transforming Education Summit must be a turning point — gathering Heads of State to lay out in crystal clear terms their promise and their plans to fundamentally transform education for the future.  This Pre-Summit is an essential moment on the road to September.  It must identify the key elements of a new learning path; the solidarity and solutions that can make that path a reality; and the work needed over the coming months.

I urge you to focus on six critical areas:  First, achieving the basics for all students, through education systems that are truly inclusive and equitable.  Second, shifting to models and systems that support lifelong learning and skills for the future of work.  Third, learning to live in peace with each other and with our planet.

Fourth, embracing a culture of collaborative problem-solving and learning how to learn.  Fifth, ensuring the digital transformation of education reduces inequalities and protects learning resources as a global public good.  And sixth, boosting both domestic and international investment in education, including through the International Financing Facility for Education.

I thank all our partners for working to make the most of this opportunity, particularly our hosts, UNESCO [United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization].

I urge you to make full use of this meeting, and the very few months ahead, to generate momentum and commitment so that the Transforming Education Summit is a breakthrough for learners and for societies.  Thank you.

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The 10 Education Issues Everybody Should Be Talking About

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What issues have the potential to define—or re define—education in the year ahead? Is there a next “big thing” that could shift the K-12 experience or conversation?

These were the questions Education Week set out to answer in this second annual “10 Big Ideas in Education” report.

You can read about last year’s ideas here . In 2019, though, things are different.

This year, we asked Education Week reporters to read the tea leaves and analyze what was happening in classrooms, school districts, and legislatures across the country. What insights could reporters offer practitioners for the year ahead?

Some of the ideas here are speculative. Some are warning shots, others more optimistic. But all 10 of them here have one thing in common: They share a sense of urgency.

Accompanied by compelling illustrations and outside perspectives from leading researchers, advocates, and practitioners, this year’s Big Ideas might make you uncomfortable, or seem improbable. The goal was to provoke and empower you as you consider them.

Let us know what you think, and what big ideas matter to your classroom, school, or district. Tweet your comments with #K12BigIdeas .

No. 1: Kids are right. School is boring.

Out-of-school learning is often more meaningful than anything that happens in a classroom, writes Kevin Bushweller, the Executive Editor of EdWeek Market Brief. His essay tackling the relevance gap is accompanied by a Q&A with advice on nurturing, rather than stifling students’ natural curiosity. Read more.

No. 2: Teachers have trust issues. And it’s no wonder why.

Many teachers may have lost faith in the system, says Andrew Ujifusa, but they haven’t lost hope. The Assistant Editor unpacks this year’s outbreak of teacher activism. And read an account from a disaffected educator on how he built a coalition of his own. Read more.

No. 3: Special education is broken.

Forty years since students with disabilities were legally guaranteed a public school education, many still don’t receive the education they deserve, writes Associate Editor Christina A. Samuels. Delve into her argument and hear from a disability civil rights pioneer on how to create an equitable path for students. Read more.

No. 4: Schools are embracing bilingualism, but only for some students.

Staff Writer Corey Mitchell explains the inclusion problem at the heart of bilingual education. His essay includes a perspective from a researcher on dismantling elite bilingualism. Read more.

No. 5: A world without annual testing may be closer than you think.

There’s agreement that we have a dysfunctional standardized-testing system in the United States, Associate Editor Stephen Sawchuk writes. But killing it would come with some serious tradeoffs. Sawchuk’s musing on the alternatives to annual tests is accompanied by an argument for more rigorous classroom assignments by a teacher-practice expert. Read more.

No. 6: There are lessons to be learned from the educational experiences of black students in military families.

Drawing on his personal experience growing up in an Air Force family, Staff Writer Daarel Burnette II highlights emerging research on military-connected students. Learn more about his findings and hear from two researchers on what a new ESSA mandate means for these students. Read more.

No. 7: School segregation is not an intractable American problem.

Racial and economic segregation remains deeply entrenched in American schools. Staff Writer Denisa R. Superville considers the six steps one district is taking to change that. Her analysis is accompanied by an essay from the president of the American Educational Research Association on what is perpetuating education inequality. Read more.

No. 8: Consent doesn’t just belong in sex ed. class. It needs to start a lot earlier.

Assistant Editor Sarah D. Sparks looked at the research on teaching consent and found schools and families do way too little, way too late. Her report is partnered with a researcher’s practical guide to developmentally appropriate consent education. Read more.

No. 9: Education has an innovation problem.

Are education leaders spending too much time chasing the latest tech trends to maintain what they have? Staff Writer Benjamin Herold explores the innovation trap. Two technologists offer three tips for putting maintenance front and center in school management. Read more.

No. 10: There are two powerful forces changing college admissions.

Some colleges are rewriting the admissions script for potential students. Senior Contributing Writer Catherine Gewertz surveys this changing college admissions landscape. Her insights are accompanied by one teacher’s advice for navigating underserved students through the college application process. Read more.

Wait, there’s more.

Want to know what educators really think about innovation? A new Education Week Research Center survey delves into what’s behind the common buzzword for teachers, principals, and district leaders. Take a look at the survey results.

A version of this article appeared in the January 09, 2019 edition of Education Week as What’s on the Horizon for 2019?

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