Ensure inclusive and equitable quality educations and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Goal 4:

Quality education

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality educations and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Icon of the Sustainable Development Goal 4 of the 2030 Agenda

SDG 4 calls for quality education for all, considering the progressive learning stages and undertaking a firm commitment to equal opportunities. In early childhood, a key period, all children must have access to quality educational spaces. According to the United Nations, primary and secondary education should be free and produce good outcomes, in the sense that all students should complete this stage successfully.

Vocational schools and universities, on the other hand, must ensure that they provide the knowledge and skills that students will need in their professional lives. In general, there must be educational opportunities at every life stage, and providing knowledge on sustainable development, human rights, gender equality and peace culture, and valuing cultural diversity, among others, should be encouraged.

UN Targets
What we are doing

4.1 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes

4.2 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood care and development services and quality pre-school education, so they are ready for primary education

4.3 By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university education

4.4 By 2030, substantially increase the number of young people and adults who have the necessary skills, especially technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship

4.5 By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations

4.6 By 2030, ensure all youth and a considerable proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy

4.7 By 2030, ensure all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development through, among other things, education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promoting a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and culture’s contribution to sustainable development

4.a Build and upgrade education facilities so they are child, disability and gender sensitive and offer safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all

4.b By 2020, substantially increase globally the number of scholarships available for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and African countries, for enrolment in higher education, including vocational training and information and communications technology, technical, engineering and scientific programmes, in developed countries and other developing countries

4.c By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries, especially least developed countries and small island developing States