International Day of Education

International Day of Education History

International Day of Education aims to promote and honour the crucial role that education plays in global peace and sustainable development. Established by the United Nations (UN), this observance is intended to highlight the importance of inclusive and equitable education for all. It also serves as a call to action to all governments, institutions, and individuals to make education a foremost priority, believing that access to quality education is a human right that should be respected and protected.

International Day of Education holds significant meaning for South Africa as it wrestles with challenges of inclusivity and equitability in its education sector. This day was officially recognised by the UN General Assembly in 2018, driven by the aspiration of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to ensure inclusive and equitable education worldwide. For South Africa, a country still dealing with the educational legacies of apartheid, this focus on inclusive and equitable education aligns very closely with its national agenda. It serves as an avenue for the country to share its successes, discuss its challenges, and explore strategies for improving its education system.

In South Africa, the International Day of Education is observed both at governmental and grassroots levels. Government departments, academic institutions, non-governmental organisations, and community groups engage in various activities to commemorate this day. These activities, driven by the broader UN theme of 'Learning for people, planet, prosperity, and peace', range from policy dialogues and community workshops to public awareness campaigns. While the day is observed globally on January 24, related activities in South Africa often extend throughout the month as part of a broader focus on education.

Facts about International Day of Education

• The theme for International Day of Education in 2024 was Learning for lasting peace. In 2023, the theme was to invest in people, prioritize education.
• According to Article 26 of the U.N's Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to education. Article 26 goes further and states that education shall be free at the elementary and fundamental stage. It also states that higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
• Around 262 million children and youth still do not attend school, according to statistics from the United Nations. The day is aimed at advocating for quality education and equal access to education for all.
• South Africa has one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the world, with approximately 60% of the youth being unemployed, according to the Trading Economics 2021 data.
• In recent years, South Africa has made progress towards achieving universal primary education, with enrollment rates of around 99% in primary schools.

In the News and Trending in South Africa for International Day of Education

Top things to do in South Africa for International Day of Education

• Films you can watch to celebrate International Day of Education are:
  Waiting for Superman - Although this is an American documentary, it captures the essence of the importance of education and educators in shaping a student's future and has strong messages for education systems worldwide.
  The First Grader - Based on an incredible true story, this film is truly inspiring. It shows the determination of an old Kenyan man, Maruge, who decides to get his education for the first time after the Kenyan government announces free primary education in 2003. While it’s not based in South Africa, it communicates the importance of education for all ages and is relevant to the African continent.
  Beyond the Lighted Stage - A documentary about a school in the most dangerous area of Cape Town, South Africa. The school is on a mission to provide a safe and encouraging learning environment for the students who live in neighboring townships.
  Yesterday - This is a South African movie where a young mother, Yesterday, discovers she has AIDS. Her husband rejects her, and her ambition becomes to live long enough to see her daughter, Beauty, go to school.
• Books you can read to understand the importance of Eduction in Africa are:
  Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela by Nelson Mandela
  Education, Society, and Change in South Africa by Louis Taylor
  Education Policy in South Africa by Sarah Emily Moss
  Getting By: Estates, Class, and Culture in Austerity Britain by Lisa Mckenzie
  Education and other Braai Talk: Conversations on South African Issues by Lara Kirsten