Goal 4: Provide inclusive and equitable quality education and learning opportunities for all
Quality education is the basis for improving people's lives and achieving sustainable development. Important results have been achieved in terms of increasing access to education at all levels and increasing enrollment levels in schools, especially for women and girls. Baseline literacy has improved significantly, but efforts need to be redoubled to achieve even better results toward achieving universal education goals. For example, equality between girls and boys has been achieved worldwide in primary education, but few countries have achieved this at all educational levels.
Facts and figures
• Enrollment in primary schools in developing countries has reached 91%, but 57 million children are still excluded
• More than half of out-of-school children live in sub-Saharan Africa
• An estimated 50% of children of primary school age but not attending school live in conflict-affected areas
• Worldwide, 103 million young people lack basic reading and writing skills, over 60% of them women.
Achievements
4.1 By 2030, ensure that every girl and boy has freedom, equity and quality in the completion of primary and secondary education leading to appropriate and concrete learning outcomes
4.2 By 2030, ensure that every girl and boy has quality childhood development, and access to pre-school care and education so that they are ready for primary school
4.3 By 2030, ensure that every woman and man has equitable access to cost-effective, high-quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university education
4.4 By 2030, substantially increase the number of young people and adults with specific skills - including technical and vocational skills - for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship
4.5 By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equitable access to all levels of education and vocational training for protected groups, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations
4.6 By 2030, ensure that all young people and most adults, both men and women, have literacy and numeracy skills
4.7 By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to promote sustainable development, including through education for sustainable development and lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of peaceful and non-violent culture, global citizenship and the valorisation of cultural diversity and the contribution of culture to sustainable development
4.a Build and enhance educational facilities that are sensitive to the needs of children, disabilities and gender equality and provide learning environments that are safe, non-violent and inclusive for all
4.b By 2020, substantially expand globally the number of scholarships available to developing countries, especially in least developed countries, small island states and African states, to ensure access to higher education – including vocational training, information and communication technologies, and technical, engineering and scientific programs – in both developed and developing countries
4.c By 2030, substantially increase the presence of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation, for their training activity in developing countries, especially in least developed countries and small island developing States
