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International Day of Education, 2022

UPVAC outreach with educational materials to a primary school on International Day of Education in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.


Education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility.


The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education(link is external), in celebration of the role of education for peace and development.


Without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all, countries will not succeed in achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of children, youth and adults behind.


Today, 258 million children and youth still do not attend school; 617 million children and adolescents cannot read and do basic math; less than 40% of girls in sub-Saharan Africa complete lower secondary school and some four million children and youth refugees are out of school. Their right to education is being violated and it is unacceptable.

The 2022 International Day of Education was marked on Monday, January 24, with the theme: “Changing Course, Transforming Education”, to generate debate on the essential triggers of transformations to build more equitable and inclusive education systems that will accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education in celebration of the role of education for peace and development.


Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) Article 26

  1. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

  2. Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

  3. Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.


Sustainable Development Goal 4

Sustainable Development Goal 4 is about quality education and is among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in September 2015. The full title of SDG 4 is "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all"

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