Progress towards EFA Goal 2 on universal primary education has been significant. A number of challenges persist, ranging from governance to the quality of education that needs to be addressed.
Efforts towards achieving Education for All (EFA) since the year 2000 have yielded unprecedented progress. However, the EFA and Millennium Development Goal (MDG) education agendas will remain unfinished by 2015 and the continued relevance and importance of the EFA agenda are recognized. There is a strong need for a new and forward-looking education agenda that completes unfinished business.
The post-2015 development agenda is rights-based and adopts an equity perspective, while reflecting the expanded vision of access to quality education at all levels, with a focus on learning. UNESCO recommends to its Member States: “Ensure equitable quality education and lifelong learning for all by 2030” as a possible overarching education goal, aiming to achieve just, inclusive, peaceful and sustainable societies.
The 17- Sustainable goals which were adopted globally and to be achieved by 2030 are all interrelated. The Goal 4 which states that “Ensure equitable quality education and lifelong learning for all by 2030” is the stand alone goal on education.
In order to create awareness about the SDG Goal 4 and role of Teachers unions in its implementation, an orientation meeting was held on 19th March 2016 at AIPTF Secretariat in New Delhi. Participation of UNESCO representative in this meeting was an added advantage to clarify the goal and its related targets.