International Day for Education 2023…
Being ‘an educator’ is who I am and what I do! Whether I’m a school teacher or leader, or now as a leader of leaders, education is the central process involved. So, the UN and UNESCO dedicated ‘International Day for Education’ is important to me. There can be no doubt that education is the key to societal change and development, and it is not only crucial that young people get the best possible educational foundation, but that as adults we continue to be curious and have a desire to learn throughout our lives, and well past the end of our formal education. Adults who are curious, and continue learning, have a positive impact upon all those around them – and we spend more of our lives out of ‘formal education’ than in it. The importance of ‘lifelong learning’ is expressed so well in this quote by Eleanor Roosevelt when she said: “We obtain our education at home, at school, and, most important, from life itself.”
The focus of the day is upon on the six Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Foundational Learning, Green and Digital Transitions, Gender Equality, Education in Crisis, and Financing. One of the key aims is to ‘Rally influencers to push forward the global education movement calling on world leaders to stand by their commitments and prioritize investment in education and educational transformation’. There can be no doubt that education in the broadest sense of the word is worth prioritising. Everyone deserves a decent education, and it will benefit far more than just the individual themselves. I believe education is vital for our continued existence, and so world leaders should stand by their commitments and prioritise investment in education and educational change.
We also have a responsibility, as part of this life-long journey, as we must not underestimate the role that our work-lives play in our learning. As leaders, therefore we have an obligation to continue our own learning, modelling that curiosity and desire to be the best leaders we can be. We also have an duty to encourage our teams to both take and make learning opportunities for themselves. So much of learning is not about ‘going on courses’ or having in-house training, but instead it is seen in the curiosity someone shows to give something new a go, or to take a risk to try something out having researched it themselves on the internet, or by asking for advice and support.
Of course the education of our young needs to be prioritised in order that it is fit for the times we live in, and the Youth Declaration from the September Transforming Education Summit (TES) is a powerful call to arms: “If we are to survive and thrive in planetary peace and righteous equality, then education is our primary source of hope and resolution.” Amen to that. Let’s support our educators, by prioritising the investment in education and educational transformation, and think as broadly as possible about ‘education’ in order that it continues to be an enriching golden thread throughout our lives.
Reflections:
What does education mean to you? Do you think of it continuing beyond school, and as something you take responsibility for yourself – or is it ‘done to’ you and ‘provided for’ you (or not as the case may be)?
Are you a ‘lifelong learner’ and innately curious about the world around you?
What one thing could you do to expand your horizons even further?