Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4 or Global Goal 4) is about quality education and is among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in September 2015. The full title of SDG 4 is “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”
Although the education deficit in Africa is large, significant progress has been made over the past decade. However, about a fifth of children between the ages of 6-11 are out of school, whereas for children between 12 to 14, the exclusion is about 33%; and an estimated 60% of youth between the ages of 15 to 17 do not in school, with girls, more negatively affected. Thus, access remains a challenge at different levels, hence SIPAD International’s approaches to promoting education in Africa.
SIPAD International, therefore, seeks to roll over the following activities:
- Focus on providing quality education to the most vulnerable- including girls, children affected by conflict and crisis, children with disabilities, refugees, and displaced children.
- A continued commitment to improve access to pre-primary, primary, and secondary education for all, including children from minority groups and those with disabilities.
- A renewed focus on learning outcomes and their enablers, including learning in safe and adequate environments, support by well-trained teachers, and structured content.
- The implementation and scaling of digital learning solutions and innovations to reimagine education
- To support the reduction of disparities and inequities in education, both in terms of access and quality. SIPAD International recognizes the need to provide quality education for all, and most especially vulnerable populations, including poor children, children living in rural areas, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, and refugee children.
- SIPAD International in collaboration with Education Ministries in Africa and other stakeholders, most especially those countries of operation will provide shelter for education in rural or remote areas so they can also have access to adequate education.
- SIPAD International in collaboration with Education Ministries in Africa and other stakeholders, most especially those countries of operation will renovate education infrastructure facilities in rural or remote areas so they could have a conducive and adequate environment for studies.
- SIPAD International in collaboration with Education Ministries in Africa and other stakeholders, most especially those countries of operation will provide teaching and learning material, textbooks, exercise books, and storybooks in rural or remote areas so they can also have access to adequate education.
- To provide computers, educational technology (visual software) learning systems, and e-libraries for adequate comprehensive education.
- SIPAD International in collaboration with Education Ministries in Africa and other stakeholders, most especially those countries of operation will provide furniture (tables and chairs) to the rural or remote areas so they can also have access to adequate comprehensive education.