The 5th International Conference on the Safe Schools Declaration (SSD), held in Nairobi in November 2025, marked the 10th anniversary of a global commitment to protect education during armed conflict. The declaration, now endorsed by 122 countries, aims to prevent attacks on schools, students, and teachers while strengthening accountability for violations. The conference gathered over 400 participants from 57 governments, along with UN agencies, civil society, and youth advoc

This week, I explored the theme of “Education Funding Gap and the Future of SDG4.” As the 2030 deadline approaches, the global education community faces a difficult reality: progress toward SDG4(quality education for all)is slowing while the funding gap continues to widen. Recent data shows that upper secondary completion rates increased only from 53% in 2015 to 60% in 2024, and 754 million adults remain illiterate worldwide, with women accounting for nearly two-thirds. These

SDG4 aims to ensure inclusive, equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning for all, recognizing education as a key driver of sustainable development. While some progress has been made, major challenges remain. Global upper secondary completion rates rose from 53% in 2015 to 60% in 2024, but learning outcomes in many countries are declining. Inequality is also widening: 754 million adults remain illiterate, and 63% of them are women. Infrastructure gaps persist a

At the 2025 HESI Global Forum, education leaders emphasized that universities will play a crucial role in accelerating progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As the world approaches the SDG deadline, higher education is increasingly seen not only as a place for learning but also as a platform for evidence-based solutions to global challenges such as inequality, gender justice, and sustainable development. However, the forum also highlighted major

With only six years remaining until the 2030 deadline, global education leaders gathered at UNESCO to assess progress toward SDG4: Quality Education for All. Despite international commitments, the education gap remains alarming. Today, 128 million boys and 122 million girls are still out of school worldwide, while 57% of children lack basic learning skills. According to a new report by UNESCO, OECD, and the Commonwealth Secretariat, the global cost of this learning crisis cou