Muscat - The Global Education For All annual meeting which concluded in Muscat on Wednesday showed that education-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have driven significant progress, but are unlikely to be achieved by 2015
The meeting called for renewed targets that would have to be met by 2030. The targets were revealed at the meeting, but will be finalised at the World Forum to be held in Korea next year. The recommendations on the targets were made after discussions with participating countries and assessing where they stand with the current goals.
The stakeholders at the meeting acknowledged that the targets require further refinement with specific reference to gender equality and equity, professional, technical and vocational skills for decent work, and upper secondary and higher education.
It was decided to work on refinement of teacher target in terms of motivation and support, focus towards education in conflict situations and schools under attack and appropriate financing for education by governments and donors.
Irina Bokova, director general of UNESCO stressed on 'Ensure equitable and inclusive quality education and lifelong learning for all by 2030', as the post-2015 agenda. "The relevant indicators will be developed to translate this goal," she said.
"We need stronger partnerships for accountability, for innovation, for effective action. Education is the best long-term investment a society can make in a more inclusive, sustainable and just future.
These are the stakes - they are very high. We must meet them, and I am convinced we can if we work together," Irina said.
According to the EFA Global Monitoring Report, more than 57mn children and 69mn adolescents still do not have access to effective basic education. In 2011, an estimated 774mn adults were illiterate, of whom almost two-thirds were women. Non-completion of formal schooling, insufficient levels of basic skills acquisition, and the quality and relevance of education are of key concern. At least 250mn children are not able to read, write or count well even after having spent at least four years in school.
The meeting noted that there were persistent inequalities in access, participation and learning outcomes at all levels of education, particularly for the most vulnerable groups and min-
orities. Inadequacy of financial resources had seriously undermined progress towards providing quality education for all. Increased violence and attacks against children and personnel within the education institutions was looked as a matter of concern.
Global targets and goals for 2015-30 revealed
Target 1: By 2030, increase the percentage of children who access early childhood care and education (ECCE) and start 'Ready to Learn' primary education.
Target 2: By 2030, all children of at least ten years complete free and compulsory quality basic education and achieve relevant learning outcomes.
Target 3: By 2030, increase the percentage of adults who reach a proficiency level in literacy and numeracy sufficient to fully participate in society.
Target 4: By 2030, increase the percentage of youth and adults with the knowledge, skills and competence to access decent work.
Target 5: By 2030, all learners acquire knowledge, skills, values and attitudes for global citizenship and sustainable development.
Target 6: By 2030, all governments should ensure sufficient numbers of qualified teachers.
Target 7: By 2030, all countries progress towards allocating 4-6 per cent of their GDP and (15-20 per cent) of their public expenditure to education.
© Muscat Daily 2014
