Quality education: an urgent challenge

The EU SDG indicators show a trend of improvement in achieving quality education in Spain. However, they warn that greater efforts are needed to achieve the 2030 goals, especially in terms of school dropout and low performance.

Educational trends and challenges in Spain: towards quality education

On International Education Day, Ayuda en Acción warns about the projected figures for 2030: only 1 in 6 countries will meet the SDG 4 (quality education).

In the case of Spain, the EU SDG indicators show a trend of improving results. However, they warn that greater efforts are needed to achieve the 2030 goals, especially in terms of school dropout and low performance. Spain, far from reaching the target of only 9% school dropout rate, stands at 13.9%. Likewise, the percentage of low performance is alarming, as we stand at 24.4%, while the European target is 15% by 2030. “The latest data from the PISA report reinforces the importance of addressing the main educational concerns identified by Ayuda en Acción. For they evidence a decline in academic performance,” explains Matías Figueroa, Director of European Programs at Ayuda en Acción.

In addition, the organization points out that basic school infrastructure is not universal and opportunities are not equal. This is the result of the decrease in overall spending in the last 10 years on education and the disparities between autonomous communities in social policies. "Apart from an ‘educational emergency plan’, we must demand equal spending in municipalities and autonomous communities. The territorial differences are overwhelming and we must ensure that the schools are funded in a stable manner, according to the situation of their students and providing them with adequate infrastructures that eliminate economic barriers and discrimination. They must also ensure safety and educational quality by integrating a gender and vulnerable groups approach and, ultimately, finance education as an investment for the future,” said Figueroa.

Recommendations for an inclusive future

The challenges in education reinforce the need to address the main concerns identified by Ayuda en Acción in its latest study on youth and work, looking ahead to 2030. In this study, the organization proposes a series of recommendations to address current and future challenges in education:

• Adapt the educational offer to the needs of the labor market.


• Promote a flexible and continuous educational path throughout life.


• Train in digital and complementary competencies in a context of change.


• Consider guidance as a fundamental pillar of education.


• Balance digitalization with face-to-face education.


• Promote education in democratic citizenship.

“These recommendations are presented as a prospective proposal for 2030. We therefore urge coordinated action by governments, education authorities and various sectors of society to ensure an education that trains future generations not only in academic knowledge, but also in key skills to meet the changing challenges of today's world,” continues Figueroa. “Education is an essential tool for personal and social development. It requires a joint commitment to overcome barriers and build an inclusive and equitable future for all”.

Quality education, a fundamental pillar of the SDGs worldwide

In line with Ayuda en Acción's vision, quality education is a fundamental right and a crucial pillar for the achievement of the SDGs. The organization reaffirms its commitment to building a more equitable and sustainable future, where education is accessible and of quality for all, regardless of the barriers identified in the PISA report.
Ayuda en Acción urges governments and authorities to increase their efforts, focusing on reversing negative trends and ensuring an educational environment that promotes inclusion, equity and preparation for the challenges of the 21st century. The organization points out that, despite the progress made in recent years, it is estimated that by 2030, 300 million students will lack basic literacy and numeracy skills. Moreover, the participation rate in pre-primary education remains stagnant at a worrying 75%, far from the goal of universal access.

Ayuda en Acción also points out that basic school infrastructure is far from universal, as a large portion of schools lack basic services such as electricity, drinking water and basic sanitation facilities (a quarter of the world's primary schools) and other services such as computer equipment and infrastructure.

Creating an inclusive, equitable and quality educational environment

Ayuda en Acción's strategic focus for 2030 is on creating an inclusive, equitable and quality educational environment. The organization works in partnership with public managers, school management teams, teachers, families and students to strengthen the capacities of the educational community. In addition, Ayuda en Acción is committed to strengthening the public education system, providing educational opportunities through ongoing advocacy on government policies and offering training in language, mathematical-logical and digital skills.

Ayuda en Acción's initiative also highlights the importance of promoting awareness-raising actions on climate change, gender policies, the fight against xenophobia and racism, fostering diversity and ensuring that children acquire the necessary knowledge to promote fair, egalitarian and sustainable development.

Ayuda en Acción, committed to the achievement of the SDG 4, works tirelessly to strengthen the capacities of the educational community and guarantee the right to quality education. In this context, the organization addresses several challenges:

1. Strengthening of the public education system:
   
   
   
   1. Provision of adequate infrastructure in local contexts.
   
   
   2. Education and training of teachers.
   
   
   
   


2. Creating educational opportunities:
   
   
   
   1. Ongoing advocacy work with governments to achieve the SDG 4.
   
   
   
   


3. Training in comprehensive competencies
   
   
   
   1. Development of linguistic, mathematical-logical and digital skills.
   
   
   
   


4. Promotion of diversity and rights:
   
   
   
   1. Awareness-raising actions on climate change, gender equality, anti-xenophobia and racism.
   
   
   
   

For this reason, on Education Day and every day, Ayuda en Acción advocates for the promotion of education as a pillar for the creation of future opportunities for children and youth and to achieve a more equal and just society.