WASHINGTON, DC — AS the global community marks International Education Day, the United Nations is urging countries to make education a top priority in national budgets and development planning.
In remarks to observe the day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored that education is a fundamental human right and a “springboard to greater opportunity, dignity and peace.”
However, he warned that more than 200 million children and young people around the world remain out of school due to poverty, discrimination, conflict, displacement and natural disasters.
To address these challenges, Guterres called on “governments, partners and donors to prioritise education in their policies, budgets and recovery efforts.”
“We must close the persistent gaps in financing, access and quality that lock young people out of the future they seek and deserve,” he said.
In the Caribbean, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) also marked International Education Day by hosting a youth-focused symposium, where participants highlighted three key areas requiring urgent attention: smarter use of technology in learning, mandatory Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and stronger partnerships among families, schools and communities.
Guterres stressed the importance of youth voices in shaping education policy, noting that “we particularly need to listen to the voices of young people themselves, and act on their pleas for qualified teachers, relevant skills and competencies training for a changing world, and equitable access to technology.”
“Together, let’s build inclusive, resilient and innovative education systems for all people,” he added.
Meanwhile, the CDB noted that while students acknowledged the benefits of digital learning tools, they also raised concerns about their effective use. A significant generational gap remains, as many parents and teachers lack familiarity with how technology is integrated into education. This, students said, can result in overly restrictive or fear-based policies.
Participants recommended improving digital literacy among adults to help schools better address real challenges, while promoting safe, responsible and effective use of technology.
Beyond the digital classroom, students also emphasised the need for more practical, hands-on learning. They are calling for Technical and Vocational Education and Training to be strengthened and made mandatory across the Caribbean, arguing that such skills are essential for future success but are not yet widely required within school systems.
