What day is it?

International Day of Education announced on January 24. Education is not just an opportunity, but a right of every person. All people on Earth must have the opportunity to receive this public good, and the responsibility for providing such an opportunity lies with the state and state structures.

How did the idea of ​​celebrating International Education Day come about?

International Education Day – the holiday is quite young. It was established in December 2018, and for the first time the world community celebrated this day in 2019. This day was proclaimed on December 3, 2018 in Brussels at an international conference dedicated to the problems of modern education. The initiator of the introduction of such a day was Nigeria.

The idea of ​​an African country was supported by 58 member states of the conference. A corresponding resolution was drawn up in support of quality equal education that would be available to every person regardless of their nationality, gender and social status. The principles of the UN state that everyone should have access to quality education. Education helps a person become literate, gain self-confidence, and ensure well-being for himself and his family in the future.

According to the founders of the holiday, every year a special topic related to current problems in the field of education should be considered. So far, two important issues regarding the support of education have been considered.

“Education for the world and development”

The first celebration was devoted to the importance of education in the development of each person and the world in general. The slogan of 2019 was: “Education for the world and development”. Only high-quality education will help eradicate poverty, fight illiteracy and get the means for a dignified life. Educated people can get a good job and raise their social level. Education helps to improve sanitation, contributes to the economic development of the family and society. Often, only obtaining the necessary knowledge helps to solve many social problems.

Education for the world and development – one of the important factors contributing to the achievement of the UN Development Goals laid down in the special program from 2015 to 2030. This program clearly defines 17 main goals for sustainable development in the world. One of the goals is to provide quality and equal education and encourage people to study at any age.

“Education is in the interests of people, the planet, prosperity and peace”

As part of the celebration of this holiday in 2020, the topic of education in the interests of people, the planet, prosperity and peace was considered. Education has many levers that improve people’s rights and open up more opportunities for them. In addition, education leads to prosperity and peace in the world. On January 24, 2020, UNESCO representatives gathered at the headquarters in Paris, where they held numerous negotiations with the heads of various structures related to education. The younger generation was actively involved in the discussions.

Statistics in the world

• According to research, as of 2013, 92% of children in the world received primary education. This is a much higher indicator compared to 1990, when only 81% of children went to primary school.
• 74% of the Earth’s inhabitants have the opportunity to receive an incomplete secondary education.
• Only 30% of the world’s population receives higher education.
• At the same time, more than 700 million people in the world cannot read, and 260 million have never attended primary school.

It is very important to realize people’s right to higher education – this is the only way to reveal talents and develop creativity and practical skills for sustainable development in the world.

Statistics in Ukraine

Ukraine ranks 9th in the world in terms of literacy, this indicator is determined as a percentage and is 99.8% for our country. As for the education level index, Ukraine is 48th in the list of countries.

There is a whole list of statistical data that allows you to determine the relationship to education in our country:

• On average, there are 9-10 students per 1 teacher.
• In 2018, students from schools located in Kharkiv and Kharkiv region showed the highest results at the All-Ukrainian Olympiads.
• In recent years, 60% of students continue to study at school after the 9th grade.
• Teachers with an average age of 45 work in Ukrainian schools.

Interesting facts from different parts of the world

70% of applicants who study for 14 hours every day without days off enter the most prestigious universities in South Korea. 70% of students visit tutors to successfully pass the entrance exam. The exam lasts for 8 hours, during which time the whole country freezes in anticipation of the results.

In Indian schools, teachers do not work through the material with students. This is done in order to attract students to additional classes, which are paid. In order to get a decent education, 90% of schoolchildren in India are forced to go to tutors. It is interesting that 50% of tutoring takes place in the morning, before attending school.

There is a shortage of teachers and schools for secondary education in Russia. In this connection, about 10,000 schoolchildren study in the third shift.

How to celebrate International Education Day?

On this day, numerous negotiations are held at the state level, aimed at improving the quality and conditions of education. In educational institutions, activities are held to spread knowledge about education among children and youth. Documentaries and feature films dedicated to education are broadcast on television.

Each person can make a personal effort to celebrate this day: teach a child to read or write, help a pupil, student, or adult learn certain knowledge.

Why is this day important?

Education is the key to literacy, and therefore to the creation of a decent life and the formation of a successful society. By acquiring new knowledge and skills, a person not only develops independently and improves his well-being, but also raises the standard of living of his city, region, country by providing better services or creating better products.

Everyone has the opportunity to get a decent and affordable education, regardless of where they live, how old they are, and how much money they have. International Education Day helps people understand the importance of literacy for themselves and others.

When will we celebrate International Education Day?