INTERNATIONAL DAY OF

EDUCATION
International Day of Education is a celebration which takes place annually on January 24 th. It first began in 2019.
The United Nations General Assembly thought it was a good idea to have a celebration day for education all over the
world. They wanted to promote the role that education plays in bringing global peace and sustainable development.
They believe that everybody has a right to an education, both girls
and boys in every country in the world. Without education, there
will not be equality. Without education, the cycle of poverty cannot
be broken.
Even today, in 2024, there are hundreds of millions of children and
young people who do not attend school; more than five hundred
million children can’t read or do basic maths; in sub Saharan
Africa, less than 40% of girls complete lower secondary school.
More than four million refugee children are out of school. On this
day, UNESCO calls on governments to make education a priority.
If you can read this, think about your good fortune in having access
to education. And ask: what can we do to change things?
UNESCO = United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organisation .
Say if the statements are TRUE or FALSE:
1. The day takes place every year.
2. It began quite recently, just five years ago.
3. The USA started the celebration.
4. The UN believe that education can help bring about world peace.
5. They believe that the right to education needs to be limited.
6. Education cannot help to end the problem of poverty.
7. In 2024, all young people attend school.
8. Millions of children cannot read or do basic maths.
9. In some countries, girls do not have the right to attend secondary school.
10. UNESCO wants to raise awareness of the situation.
Answer the questions:
1. When did the day start? ____________________________________________________
2. Which organisation introduced the celebration? ______________________________
3. Why do they want to promote education/What do they believe universal education (education for all) can
achieve? ____________________________________________________________________________
4. Which two global aims do they believe cannot be achieved without education?
____________________________________________________________________________
5. What does UNESCO ask governments to do?
____________________________________________________________________________
<<< Do you think INTERNATIONAL DAYS are a good idea? Why or why not?

KEYS

T/F 1t, 2t, 3f, 4t, 5f, 6f, 7f, 8t, 9t, 10t
 1. In 2019.
2. The UN
3. They believe it can help achieve global peace and sustainable development
4. Equality and an end to poverty.
5. To make education a priority.
6.
There are international days for many things. Do they bring change? I doubt it. People get blasé. On the other hand,
knowledge is power. I didn’t know so many children are out of education, quite shocking.