About this goal 

Education is key to meeting the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations. Women and men, girls and boys must be able to read, write and calculate in order to care for their health, defend their rights, and work in ways that protect the natural environment. Therefore, data from the United Nations saying that more than 265 million children are not in school is cause for considerable concern1.  

Often those who have the greatest difficulty accessing adequate education are people in the most vulnerable groups such as rural, poor, disabled or indigenous peoples; women; and populations caught in situations of violent conflict. This contributes in turn to perpetuating their vulnerability.  

Although the United Nations reports that “in the past decade, major progress has been made towards increasing access to education at all levels and increasing enrolment rates in schools particularly for women and girls [and that] basic literacy skills have improved …” 2 more work is needed. The quality of education is negatively affected by inadequately trained teachers, the poor condition of school buildings and infrastructure, and the lack of schooling for children in rural areas.  

This means that: 

• education must be made more widely available in rural areas 

• families with low incomes need access to scholarships 

• school districts require financial support for teacher training  

• school building maintenance, including improvements to sanitation and electrical services, is needed 

The goal is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all. 

Education is a fundamental human right and is indispensable for the achievement of sustainable development. We are only able to empower girls, combat climate change, fight inequality and end extreme poverty if all stakeholders, including business, commit themselves to advancing the education goal.  – SDG Compass 

The United Nations has named ten targets in order to meet the goal by 2030. Four of these relate directly to existing or potential church mission work, programs and initiatives. 

4.1 Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and Goal-4 effective learning outcomes 

4.5 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 

4.7 Ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development  

4.A Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.  

Where do we find inspiration? 

The author of the letter to the Romans encouraged believers to not conform to the patterns of thinking in the world, but to renew their way of life to change their way of thinking, to get to know the good will of God.  

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2) 

In a world like ours, in which we seek to increase our capacity to dominate and shape both the natural environment and our own lives by profiting from scientific knowledge and its practical application in technology, the educational role of the churches is important.  

For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to the one who possesses it. (Ecclesiastes 7:12) 

Churches have the opportunity of offering education that responds to the ethical challenges that scientific discoveries and financial structures bring with them. Churches can also call for governments and private education institutions to contribute to the ethical education that people need in order to live responsibly in our world. 

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)