UNESCO is urging governments to prioritize early childhood education, warning that millions of children risk falling behind before they even begin primary school. Experts say the years from birth to age five are critical for brain development, learning, and long-term well-being, yet early education remains underfunded and overlooked in many countries. With less than five years left to meet global education goals for 2030, UNESCO says urgent investment in teachers, access, and quality pre-primary education is needed to prevent deepening inequality and learning gaps worldwide.

In Juba, South Sudan, boys are speaking out for their classmates, insisting girls belong in classrooms, not in early marriages that end their futures.

A silent revolution has filled lecture halls worldwide—but not everyone has a seat at the table. Global higher education enrolment has more than doubled in two decades, rising from about 100 million students in 2000 to 269 million in 2024, reflecting surging demand and expanding access. Women now outnumber men in higher education but lag behind at doctoral level, and international student mobility has tripled, though it still involves only a small share of learners. Yet this rapid growth masks deep inequalities: participation ranges from around 80% in Western Europe and North America to just 9% in sub-Saharan Africa. Completion rates fall behind enrolment gains, and many countries lack free public education. A new report from UNESCO urges stronger investment and inclusive policies.

In Pakistan, 14-year-old Sobh walks through her village, showing how climate change has disrupted daily life with heavy rains flooding schools and damaging water sources. 

Sobh explains how UNICEF is supporting her village through solutions like rainwater collection, solar energy, tree planting, and safe drinking water systems. At school, children are not only learning about climate change but also working together to find ways to protect their future.

Their teacher knows their journey

For thousands of students in Uganda’s Karamoja region, Teacher Evaline Akello is more than a teacher, she’s proof that their dreams are possible.

Evaline once sat where they sit now, a hungry child relying on the World Food Programme (WFP) school meals to stay in class. Today, her students see in her story a powerful message: with food, education and determination, their futures can be bigger than the challenges they face. Evaline's journey shows how one simple meal can change the course of not just one, but many lives.

In 2025, UNESCO awarded its inaugural Global Citizenship Education Prize to initiatives in Tanzania and Ecuador, recognizing outstanding global education impact.

Akimatou - from teen mother to trailblazer 

Akimatou, a 22-year old entrepreneur, is helping rewrite girls’ futures in Benin. After becoming a mother at 16 and leaving school, Akimatou turned her second chance into a mission - using bold comics and open conversations to help girls in Benin take control of their bodies and futures. Now a thriving entrepreneur and mentor, she’s transforming her own story of hardship into hope for an entire generation. Her work is part of a UNFPA-supported comprehensive sexuality education initiative that has driven big gains in reducing school-related pregnancies and expanding girls’ opportunities

Multilingual and multicultural societies rely on their languages to preserve traditional knowledge and culture. However, linguistic diversity is under threat as many languages face extinction and as 40% of people lack access to education in a language they understand. Progress is growing, especially in early schooling, as multilingual education gains recognition. This year’s International Mother Language Day (21 February) highlights youth voices and the importance of valuing every learner’s language to support identity, inclusion, and learning.

Education is crucial for children, providing safety during crises and reducing risks of child labor, early marriage, and recruitment by armed groups. It connects kids to essential services like clean water and nutritious meals, while also fostering hope and stability, ultimately leading to economic growth and reducing conflict. However, a recent UNICEF analysis indicates that international aid for education may drop by over US$3 billion by the end of 2026, potentially leaving 6 million more children out of school. This isn't just a financial adjustment; it's a significant threat to a whole generation’s future.

UNOPS is completing 62 Indigenous and Quilombola schools across Brazil, blending traditional knowledge with modern education to empower youth, preserve cultural identity, and promote sustainable development.

In the Kyiv region, a preschool education centre that once served over 80 children was severely damaged by a missile on 2 March 2022. The blast impacted on the building’s facade, roof, windows, doors, and heating system, making repairs unaffordable for the community. However, hope arose through the School Repairs in Ukraine project, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNOPS. Starting in 2024, UNOPS engineers will oversee extensive renovations, including restoration of the facade and roof, new windows and doors, and interior revitalization, creating a safe, modern space for young learners to thrive once again.

Despite war and devastation, initiatives like UNESCO’s Virtual Campus and Temporary Learning Spaces are helping Gaza’s students reconnect with learning, hope, and academic life.

Violence against children in armed conflict is rising, with education increasingly under attack. In the past year, attacks on schools surged by 44%, causing deaths, abductions, and trauma among students and teachers. These violations endanger lives and the future of communities. The UN urges nations to ensure safe access to education, invest in resilient systems, and uphold the Safe Schools Declaration. To mark the International Day to Protect Education from Attack (9 September), UNESCO and partners host a high-level event in Geneva under the theme “Challenging Narratives, Reshaping Action.”

Teachers cultivate essential skills like critical thinking and emotional intelligence that machines cannot teach. However, there's a global shortage of qualified teachers, with a need for 44 million more by 2030 to meet educational goals. Digital Learning Week 2025 addresses the challenges and opportunities AI presents in education. Militza Saavedra Montero, a teacher from Chile, views AI as beneficial, having gained valuable digital competencies through UNESCO training that helps her save time in the classroom. Militza feels that her role as a teacher is essential in helping students use technology with a critical mindset. The challenge is to teach people how to use AI responsibly.

For over 20 years, UNOPS has assisted the Argentinian government in advancing educational outcomes and ensuring inclusive learning opportunities through technical support, fund management, and transparent procurement processes.