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Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4

In 2015, all countries committed to achieving 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Education International played a critical role in securing a stand-alone goal for education - Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4): Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Significantly, SDG4 recognised that quality education can only be delivered by qualified teachers.

However, at the current pace, governments will fail to achieve SDG 4. The COVID-19 pandemic poses additional challenges, and risks reversing years of progress on education. Urgent and decisive action is imperative.

Together with our member organisations around the world we are working to ensure that governments live up to their promise to achieve SDG 4 and all its targets by 2030.

  • We monitor progress and hold governments accountable.
  • We advocate for enhanced domestic financing for public education through fair and progressive taxation and international aid.
  • We oppose corporate interests that treat education as a market instead of a public good accessible to all.
  • We promote quality education that is free from violence, develops the “whole child”, builds tolerance, understanding, democracy, respect for human rights and active citizenship for sustainable development.
  • We promote the achievement of the “teacher target” (target 4.c), underlining every students’ right to be taught by a trained and qualified teacher.

Our work in this area

  1. News 20 July 2015

    Successful first ever Further and Higher Education Caucus

    The Education International President Susan Hopgood inaugurated the first ever Further and Higher Education Caucus at the EI 7th World Congress on 20 July in Ottawa, Canada.

    Successful first ever Further and Higher Education Caucus
  2. News 19 July 2015

    Blog: The World's Largest Lesson comes to the Seventh World Congress in Ottawa

    With the adoption of the new UN Sustainable Development Goals fast approaching, delegates at EI's Seventh World Congress have the chance to find out how how to introduce the most important topics to the classroom.

    Blog: The World's Largest Lesson comes to the Seventh World Congress in Ottawa
  3. News 15 July 2015

    EI puts free education high on UN Summit agenda on Financing for Development

    An Addis side event, which included UNESCO and the governments of Ethiopia, Norway and the Republic of Korea, focused on investing in education gave Education International the perfect opportunity to argue for free public education.

    EI puts free education high on UN Summit agenda on Financing for Development
  4. News 13 July 2015

    World leaders meet in Ethiopia to agree on financing for development

    Education International joins heads of state and government, along with major stakeholders in development, in Addis Ababa to agree on financing for the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals to be launched this September.

    World leaders meet in Ethiopia to agree on financing for development
  5. News 7 July 2015

    Norway: Education stakeholders in Oslo to set global financial priorities

    Education International joins global leaders in Oslo to bridge the global Education for All vision and commitments adopted at the World Education Forum with the necessary financing, priorities and political will.

    Norway: Education stakeholders in Oslo to set global financial priorities
  6. News 25 June 2015

    Bahamas: Commonwealth looks to EI to address quality education

    When Commonwealth education ministers descended on the Bahamas this week to tackle the challenges of achieving quality education in developing countries, all ears were tuned in to hear what Education International had to say.

    Bahamas: Commonwealth looks to EI to address quality education
  7. News 23 June 2015

    Public service a valuable resource that needs protecting

    As Public Service Day is observed around the world the importance of public education is front and centre as the United Nations works to finalise the Post-2015 development agenda.

    Public service a valuable resource that needs protecting
  8. News 16 June 2015

    Canada: poverty negatively impacts educational outcomes, new publication shows

    The Canadian Teachers’ Federation has launched a discussion booklet for students on the consequences of poverty in the classrooms and schools, aiming to engage students in school community social action projects.

    Canada: poverty negatively impacts educational outcomes, new publication shows
  9. News 15 June 2015

    Tajikistan: trade union workshops get to the root of local challenges

    Education International’s Asian Region workshops on trade unionism for members of its Tajikistan’s affiliate, the Republican Trade Union Committee of Education and Scientific Workers, have prepared educators to address pressing community issues.

    Tajikistan: trade union workshops get to the root of local challenges
  10. Research

    Teachers assessing Education for All - perspectives from the classroom

    13 June 2015

    This report collates the outcomes of a global effort to engage teachers and education support personnel in a critical reflection on the EFA movement and goals. It shares the experiences and perspectives of a diverse group of professionals, working in very different contexts around the world, who share one common...

    Teachers assessing Education for All - perspectives from the classroom
    1. Download
  11. Research

    Pearson and PALF: The mutating giant

    Dr. Carolina Junemann, Stephen Ball
    10 June 2015

    In their latest work, renowned researchers Carolina Junemann and Stephen J. Ball present a compelling read for anyone concerned about the right of every child to a free quality public education. They reveal that there is an ever-growing concern associated with the continual rise of the commercialisation and privatisation in...

    Pearson and PALF: The mutating giant
    1. Download
  12. News 2 June 2015

    UK: Queen’s throne speech not welcomed by education unions

    Teachers unions in the United Kingdom are fiercely criticising the education policy included in the Queen’s Speech outlining the Government’s mandate as the new session of parliament following the national election officially opened.

    UK: Queen’s throne speech not welcomed by education unions
  13. News 29 May 2015

    Iraq: Kurdistan’s teachers renew vow to work with education ministry

    The Kurdistan Teachers’ Union has reaffirmed its intension to work with the Iraqi Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research to improve the quality of education, teachers’ status, and working and living conditions.

    Iraq: Kurdistan’s teachers renew vow to work with education ministry