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Many participants, among them representatives from EI’s affiliates globally, were present at the High-Level Discussion: Education in the Post-2015 Development Agenda organised by the Mission of Norway to the European Union (EU) and UNESCO on 5 February in Brussels, Belgium. Debates underlined the need for the teacher organisations’ voice to be heard to ensure quality education for all.

In his welcome speech, Atle Leikvoll, the Norwegian Ambassador to the EU, stated that the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have contributed to a larger development agenda.

EI Deputy General David Edwards later moderated the discussion.

Reading the key to eliminating poverty

“If all children in poor countries could read, global poverty would drop by 12 per cent,” stressed Androulla Vassilliou, EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism, Sport, Media and Youth. “So education is of outmost importance for new global development agenda!”

Outlining the European Commission’s views on education in the Post-2015 Development Agenda and commitments to support the sector, Vassiliou highlighted the importance of higher education’s role in the post development agenda. The challenge is to have a holistic approach to education, she said, moving beyond basic education to include early childhood education (ECE), secondary and adult education.

The EU contributes to the global development agenda through its budget - increased by 40 per cent - for the EU Erasmus Plus Programme (university students’ exchange programme), Vassilliou said, adding that cooperation with universities in developing countries must be encouraged.

There is a great need for continuous training for teachers and for teachers and education professionals to be well represented in social dialogue, she added. “We must move beyond quantitative goals to qualitative education goals and addressing inequalities, as well as focusing on teachers and the quality of teachers.”

Education for all central to global development goals

UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Dr Qian Tang outlined UNESCO’s view on the Post-2015 Education Agenda and the priorities of its 2014-2017 education programme. Education For All (EFA) remains unfinished business, he argued.

However, education has, up to now, been regarded as key enabler for other development goals, he said, adding that there is a global consensus on education being a pillar for all global development goals.

“We need a collective effort from UNESCO, NGOs [non-government organisations] and the private sector to help member states reach global education goals,” he said. “UNESCO wished to strengthen EFA with measurable targets for development under one overarching education goal.”

“We should not only focus on access to education, but quality,” Tang said. “We must address equitable quality education and lifelong learning. I have great expectations for the Global Education Forum to be held in 2015, as we need a collective effort to get our voice in favour of education heard.”

Norway, a leader in education for development

Norway, whose Mission organised the High-Level Discussion, outlined how girls’ equal participation in education is a human right and promotes economic and social development. “Norway aims to become a leader in education for development globally,” said Bjørn Haugstad, State Secretary at the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. “MDGs must mobilise against poverty, and it is time to see education holistically, not only the primary level, but also higher education and long-life learning. We must have ambitious targets.”

Need for quality and equity in education

The final speaker, UNESCO Programme Specialist on Literacy and Non-Formal Education Margarete Sachs-Israel, summarised the main findings of the 2013/2014 Global Monitoring Report (GMR) and their implications for discussions on the post-2015 Education Agenda.

“Our post-2015 vision for education focuses on ensuring equitable quality education and lifelong learning for all,” she said. “Targets must be set so that no one is left behind due to lack of resources and donors to be held accountable following the 2013-2014 GMR.”

Equity should be at heart of the post-2015 education agenda, she insisted.

Quality and equity in education essential for development

“We need basic education for all, as basic literacy and numeracy skills are needed to be a full member of society,” reiterated EI Deputy General Secretary David Edwards. “EI also agrees that we need quality and equity to go hand in hand in education in the Post-2015 development agenda to be adopted.”

Edwards welcomed the speakers’ acknowledgement that education unions must be consulted by governments, as listening to organisations representing education professionals remains the best way to ensure access to quality teachers and quality teaching and learning  environments and tools for all.