My blog at the beginning of 2013 set out three areas in which we hoped the education community would make progress towards post-2015 goals this year: devising an overarching education goal as part of a broader post-2015 framework; identifying approaches for measuring equity in educational access and learning; and setting targets for financing education. Our top 10 blogs of the year show that these areas have been a key part of the EFA Global Monitoring Report’s activities, and also areas that have been high on the agenda for the education community.
1.    Devise an overarching education goal as part of a broader post-2015 framework
One of the accomplishments of the EFA Global Monitoring Report this year was the launch of our new booklet with infographics, accompanied by an interactive website, to show how education transforms lives. Its launch, immediately before the UN General Assembly, intended to make sure that world leaders put education at the centre of the post-2015 goals that were being discussed, with an overarching education goal making it into the broader development framework. Mariam Khalique, the teacher of Pakistani school girl Malala Yousafzai shot by the Taliban, gave an impassioned speech to school children in New York demonstrating how education gives girls’ dignity. Her speech, published as a blog, was overwhelmingly the top blog of the year – and was so successful that it has even made it into the EFA Global Monitoring Report’s top 5 blogs of all time. Our blog showing how we will never eradicate poverty without quality education for all, drawing on the Education Transforms booklet, also made it into the top 10 blogs.
With debates heating up throughout the year about the shape of a global education framework after 2015, the EFA Global Monitoring Report team put forward a proposal to show why there should be a separate set of measurable global education goals and targets, complementing an overarching development agenda. This is linked with our most recent blog which contains a poll so you can vote for your choice. The overwhelming response to the poll so far is in favour of a global education goal within a broader post-MDG global development framework combined with a specific global education framework, with 71% voting for this option.
2.    Identify approaches for measuring equity in educational access and learning
Another popular blog in 2013 set out our principles for achieving equity in education post-2015: by making sure that the post-2015 framework is clear and simple; measurable; and has equity at the heart of any goal, target and indicator on educational access and learning. Drawing on analysis from our World Inequality Database on Education (WIDE), we showed the dangers of what will happen if we continue to neglect the most marginalized.
Based on the concern that 250 million children are not learning the basics, four guest blogs made it into the top ten most read in 2013 and contributed to the importance of paying greater attention to learning in goals after 2015. These included one on proposals to extend OECD’s PISA to include developing countries; another on Save the Children’s suggestions for ending the learning crisis by addressing equity, one on future priorities for sub-Saharan Africa, and a fourth on the work of the Learning Metrics Task Force.
Achieving learning goals after 2015 will only be possible if countries invest in the best teachers, and make sure they are teaching in the early grades, when disadvantaged children are at most risk of dropping out. Our blog on this, related to the theme of the 2013/4 EFA Global Monitoring Report to be released on January 29th, also made it into the top 10.
3.    Set targets for financing education
Recognizing that one of the greatest obstacles to achieving Education for All, we have put forward proposals for post-2015 goals to include explicit targets for financing. These targets need to look beyond governments and aid donors, to encompass the potential of businesses in supporting future education goals. As our blog prepared for the World Economic Forum highlighted, businesses have a role to play not only in financing, but also championing the importance of investing in education. We are still looking for the Bill Gates of education. Perhaps we will find them in 2014?
Over the past year, we have extended coverage of guest bloggers, with the result that half of those in the top 10 are from our partners who are equally committed to achieving education for all, and to establishing a strong global education framework after 2015. We thank all of those who have contributed to our blog series, and look forward to continued collaboration in 2014 to make sure that all children, young people and adults, regardless of their circumstances, have the opportunity of a good quality education.
The EFA Global Monitoring Report team wish all our readers an enjoyable festive season, and happy new year!
The poll results in support of a global education goal within a broader post-MDG global development framework combined with a specific global education framework are quite consistent with the post-2015 recommendations of our two coalitions- the Basic Education Coalition and the Global Campaign for Education- US. We support a very straightforward global education goal– that “by 2030, all children and youth receive and complete a quality primary and lower-secondary education with expected learning outcomes.” This education goal has three sub-goals that each country would adapt to their particular objectives, needs and challenges: (1) universal readiness to learn: All children start school on time and healthy; (2) universal equitable access: All children — regardless of gender, income, location, disability, ethnicity, conflict, or emergencies — access a quality primary and lower-secondary education; and (3) universal learning: All children complete primary and lower-secondary education with the requisite knowledge and skills.
These education targets would be part of a broader set of post-MDG goals addressing other sectors, themes and priorities. Finally, the specific “global education framework” identified as a priority in your poll would be advanced by our recommendation for the goals to be accompanied by an ongoing series of global consultations on effective practices and standards that could help countries better design and track implementation of their national education plans as the primary context for advancing their own targets and realizing the global goals. For further reference on our joint recommendations, click here: http://www.basiced.org/wp-content/uploads/Misc/All_Children_Learning_Consensus_Document-5-20-13.pdf
Cris Revaz, Executive Director. Basic Education Coalition
I am happy to state my experianced as a professional Social Mobilization Officer incharge of access and equity. I discovered that we have a long way to met the need of EFA as a top priority. Although i am pleased with the strategies we are adopting in the state through the formation of SBMCs in primary school communities in other to promote advocacy, awareness, sensitization and mobilizations to stakeholders from the community were school children are members. It will promote inclusiveness of all people regardless of challenges or creed. Therefore, NGO‘s like ESSPIN/DFID have supported our education system in other to meet up with our needs.
Happy new year and looking more post in 2014
Personally I also agree with the point you made out and informatics which you made is really useful
Sri Lanka Higher Education
Blogs & sites those reflects what do the global education expects, are very limited. Among them very few of them are talking about the development of the education system. I think it should be a concern, specially on Bangladesh Education.
Thanks-
This is a way which will increase global education day by day and it wil improve education system also.
Animation Notes
I’m thankful for finding your blog Have we kept our 2013 education promises? Top 10 blogs say yes!. I’ve bookmarked this site and will return again soon.
Framework is essential to reflect the proceedings n prospects where educational dimensions n dynamics placed together. My concern is that instead of putting vision mission goals stretegies roles, responsibilities, renovation n resources need to be reflected In one hand n system policy plan, program pedagogy n practice need to be arranged. For this course the scope of participation should be enlarge or change that would produce or yiald new kknowledge n trust upon framework.
Yes, you mentioned good points here. This way it will improve the education system.