Transcript
NARRATOR
Everyone deserves the right to a quality education with access to trendy teachers, learning resources and opportunities beyond basic literacy and numeracy skills. When we learn about the world around us and our place in it, we can create a world where everyone is equal. But while most students have access to school than ever before, the quality of the education varies widely across the world.That's why the UN have made quality education for all one of their 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
When children are able to learn, they grow to provide for themselves and become valuable members of their community. Through education, their minds and imaginations evolve. They become creative, analytical and empathetic and are given the best possible start in their life. In some parts of the world, lots of money is spent on making sure that schools have access to the internet, computers, books, and everything they need to help students learn. In the 1940s, Costa Rica ended their military program and decided to spend that money on education, leading to a literacy rate of almost 98%. These countries not only believe that education forms the cornerstone for democracy and modern society, they also have the resources to invest in this commitment.
Have you ever thought about what it would be like if you couldn't go to school? All around the world, millions of children and adults are starving for education. They are refused access to information they cannot afford to learn, and some have to leave school to earn money for their family. All the schools they do have don't have enough materials. The class sizes are too large and there is a shortage of teachers.
Thankfully, good people everywhere are working together and progress is being made. Global literacy levels have risen 17% in the last 30 years, and the projects like E-Rate in the US are connecting rural schools to the internet.
The UN are working with governments and charities to build schools and libraries in developing countries, and provide safe spaces where students can learn about creating sustainable lifestyles that help with planning and develop technical and trade skills for future employment. We can continue this great work together and achieve quality education for all. By 2030.