GOAL 4: QUALITY EDUCATION

Since 2000, significant progress has been made towards achieving the goal of primary education for all. The gross enrollment ratio in developing regions reached 95% in 2015, and the proportion of children out of school has been halved globally. Additionally, there has been a substantial increase in literacy rates, and the number of girls attending school has reached an all-time high. All of these are significant achievements. However, in some developing regions, progress has been quite challenging due to severe poverty, armed conflicts, and other urgent crises. Ongoing armed conflicts in West and North Africa have led to a decline in the number of children attending school. This is a concerning trend. In terms of enrollment rates, Sub-Saharan Africa has recorded the highest progress among all developing regions, increasing from 52% in 1990 to 78% in 2012, yet significant inequalities remain. Children from the poorest families are four times more likely to drop out of school than those from the wealthiest. Inequalities between rural and urban areas also persist. Achieving inclusive and quality education for all reiterates the belief that education is one of the most powerful and proven tools for sustainable development. This goal aims to ensure that by 2030, all girls and boys complete free primary and secondary education. It also seeks to provide equal access to affordable vocational education, eliminate gender and wealth inequalities, and ensure access to quality higher education for everyone.