Monitoring Desk
NEW YORK: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called for education systems that supports equal societies, dynamic economies, and the infinite dreams of every learner around the world.
The UN chief also emphasized the importance of putting the global commitment to transform education into action in a statement to commemorate the International Day of Education. According to data from the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), approximately 244 million boys and girls are still not enrolled in school this year.
Furthermore, in low- and middle-income countries, 70% of 10-year-olds cannot read and comprehend a simple text. This year’s International Day is centered around the idea of “prioritizing education and investing in people.” Girls and women in Afghanistan are being given special attention because they are not allowed to go to high school or college since the Taliban took power in August 2021. The secretary-general asserted that education is an essential human right and the foundation of all societies, economies, and human potential.
UN Director General
However, Guterres emphasized that this potential will “wither on the vine without sufficient funding.” He stated he has always found it shocking that many government policies and mechanisms for international collaboration place a low priority on education.
Guterres reminded that countries gathered last September at the Transforming Education Summit to “reimagine education systems so that every student has access to the knowledge and skills required to succeed.” More than 130 countries signed commitments to ensure that public policies and investments center on ensuring that all children have access to high-quality education. The Summit’s outcomes included the creation of the International Financing Facility for Education and a Call to Action on Educational Investment.
Guterres stated that now is the time for all countries to translate their Summit commitments into initiatives that build supportive and inclusive learning environments for all students. He continued by saying that it is also time to repeal discriminatory laws and policies restricting access to education. UNESCO has devoted the International Day of Education to all Afghan girls and women denied the opportunity to attend school, pursue further education, or work as teachers.
In a statement, Director-General Audrey Azoulay emphasized that the Organization condemns this
severe assault on human dignity and the fundamental right to education. Currently, 2.5 million, or 80% of Afghan girls and young women, are out of school.
According to Ms. Azoulay, her agency is still working hard in Afghanistan to guarantee that education can continue through radio programs or literacy classes in close coordination with the local communities. She continued by saying that UNESCO is the essential source of data on Afghan education, notably higher education. We shall keep enlisting the support of the international community to defend Afghan women’s and girls’ access to education.
Other UN agencies and high-ranking officials have supported the universal right to education. Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, urged governments to ensure everyone gets the chance to study. He tweeted that there is no justification for keeping education, hostage. Education is a fundamental human right, not a privilege—a significant investment in eradicating poverty, promoting justice, driving sustainable development, and promoting peace.
According to the UN humanitarian affairs department, OCHA, almost 200 million crisis-affected children and adolescents are either absent from school or are not learning. OCHA stated on Twitter that education must be prioritized, especially in times of crisis, to ensure that no one is left behind.
The decision has forced the suspension of some relief activities, raising concerns that the country’s severe humanitarian situation could worsen. Two-thirds of the population, or 28.3 million people, will need urgent help this year.
The visit follows a UN visit last week led by the Organization’s highest-ranking woman official, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, which focused on the impact of the humanitarian restriction to promote and safeguard women’s and girls’ rights. Sima Bahous, the executive director of UN Women, and Khaled Khiari, the assistant secretary-general for UN political, peacebuilding, and peace operations, accompanied Ms. Mohammed.
In a statement, Ms. Bahous claimed that we had seen “amazing resiliency.” Afghan women demonstrated their bravery and refusal to be eliminated from public life. We are responsible for assisting them as they continue to fight for and defend their rights.
