Global Issues & ODA
Quality Education for All
FAQs
Question
1 What is the current situation regarding education around the world?
Answer
There are said to be approximately 64 million children worldwide who are not attending elementary school (2017; source: Global Education Monitoring Report 2019). This number has been falling steadily, but the goal of achieving universal primary education by 2015—the deadline for achieving EFA (Education For All) and the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals)—was not reached. Consequently, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—global development goals to be achieved by 2030—include the following goals for the education sector: "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all." The international community needs to further strengthen its efforts to promote the spread of education.
Question
2 What kind of assistance is Japan providing in the education sector?
Answer
Japan announced "Learning Strategy for Peace and Growth" in September 2015. This is a new policy for educational cooperation from 2016 onward, drawn up in line with the adoption of the "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" at the UN Summit. Based on the new strategy, Japan is working to achieve "quality education through mutual learning" through action in priority areas. This action includes education assistance for girls and conflict-afflicted countries, assistance toward developing industrial human resources who will contribute to quality growth, and enhanced cooperation among a wide range of actors to support these assistance programs.
Question
3 Why does Japan place importance on assistance in the education sector?
Answer
Education is an essential sector for achieving human security, because it creates a foundation for individuals to demonstrate their full potential, and contribute to the economy and society. In addition, education plays an important role in achieving sustainable development in each country. From this perspective, Japan aims to promote sustainable development by ensuring that all people, including women and the vulnerable, have access to education. Furthermore, through educational cooperation, it aims to promote human resource development—the foundation for statebuilding and growth.