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Critical perspectives at the mid-point of Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality education for all—progress, persistent gaps, problematic paradigms, and the path to 2030

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  • Edwards Jr, D. Brent
  • Asadullah, M. Niaz
  • Webb, Amber

Abstract

This editorial essay introduces the 27 papers included in the special issue proposed by the SDG Academy of the U.N. Sustainable Development Network on the nature, extent, and challenges to progress towards SDG 4: Quality Education for All at the mid-point of the 2030 campaign. Problematic paradigms, and potential pathways towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4. With contributrions from leading scholars and practitioners working in the areas of global governance, international development education, and comparative education, this special issue reflects on how far the world has come, provides clarity on what the fundamental obstacles to progress have been, and offers suggestions for ways forward, in addition to raising issues and posing (at times, uncomfortable) questions with which stakeholders should grapple as they work towards SDG 4—and future global goals. The commentaries are focused on five inter-connected themes. These themes relate not only to progress on SDG 4 but also to the key conditions (capacity), processes (measurement), and contexts (e.g. vulnerable contexts) that are relevant to debates about how to make progress on SDG 4, or whether a different approach (geo-political and/or onto-epistemic in nature) is necessary. This essay concludes by encouraging the reader to decide for themselves which arguments they see as being more persuasive. We wouldencourage readers to reflect on why one argument or line of reasoning may resonate more or less—and to consider what the cause of that resonance could be. It is suggested that each reader, each of us, also has work to do when it comes to reflecting on the positions that we take or favor, why, and which voices or perspectives are left out by our answers to these questions. As the contributions to this special issue suggest, there are no easy answers.

Suggested Citation

  • Edwards Jr, D. Brent & Asadullah, M. Niaz & Webb, Amber, 2024. "Critical perspectives at the mid-point of Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality education for all—progress, persistent gaps, problematic paradigms, and the path to 2030," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:injoed:v:107:y:2024:i:c:s0738059324000531
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2024.103031
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rose, Pauline & Sayed, Yusuf, 2024. "Assessing progress in tracking progress towards the education Sustainable Development Goal: Global citizenship education and teachers missing in action?," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    2. Yoshida, Kazuhiro, 2024. "Has the significance of Target 4.7 of the SDGs changed? A commentary focusing on the critical role of socio-emotional learning," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    3. Archer, David, 2023. "Transforming the financing of education at the mid-point of the sustainable development goals," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    4. Ydesen, Christian & Elfert, Maren, 2023. "SDG4 as a global governance tool and the quest for recognizing diversity – Implications emerging from the intersections between inclusive education and assessment," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    5. Reimers, Fernando M., 2024. "The sustainable development goals and education, achievements and opportunities," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    6. Klees, Steven J., 2024. "Why SDG4 and the other SDGs are failing and what needs to be done," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    7. Addey, Camilla, 2024. "Intensions, tensions and resistance: International organizations’ struggles in monitoring and measuring SDG4," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    8. Novelli, Mario, 2023. "Historicising the geopolitics of education and the SDGs: From Western hegemony to a multi-polar world?," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    9. Crawfurd, Lee, 2024. "Feasibility first: Expanding access before fixing learning," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    10. Bray, Mark, 2024. "Still in need of confronting: Shadow education and its implications in the sustainable development goals," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    11. Huaman, Elizabeth Sumida & Walker, Jonnelle, 2023. "Beyond sustainability: Indigenous Knowledge Systems for locally and globally renewing earth relations," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    12. Morris, Emily Markovich & Qargha, Ghulam Omar & Winthrop, Rebecca, 2023. "Elevating the purpose of education to achieve the spirit of SDG 4," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    13. McKenzie, Marcia & Benavot, Aaron & Redman, Aaron, 2024. "Global indicators of progress on climate change education: Non-state actor data collaboration for SDG 4," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    14. Fontdevila, Clara, 2023. "Still waiting for the (data) revolution. Examining supply-demand mismatches in the production of SDG4 metrics," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    15. Garnier, Leonardo, 2024. "Education: Why not a race to the top?," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    16. Walker, Sharon & Tikly, Leon & Strong, Krystal & Wallace, Derron & Soudien, Crain, 2023. "The case for educational reparations: addressing racial injustices in sustainable development goal 4," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    17. Menashy, Francine & Zakharia, Zeena, 2023. "Partnerships for education in emergencies: The intersecting promises and challenges of SDG 4 and SDG 17," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    18. Antoninis, Manos, 2023. "SDG 4 baselines, midpoints and targets: Faraway, so close?," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    19. Mundy, Karen, 2023. "SDG4 and state capacity: The missing link," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    20. Asadullah, M. Niaz & Webb, Amber & Islam, Kazi Md Mukitul, 2024. "SDG 4 mid-point challenge: Fixing the broken interlinkages between education and gender equality," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    21. Porter, Catherine, 2024. "Reprioritising inclusion and equity to meet SDG4: Action is needed beyond the education sector – and must begin before school entry," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    22. Shah, Ritesh & Cardozo, Mieke Lopes & Hjarrand, Jessica, 2024. "Learning as ecosystems: Shifting paradigms for more holistic programming in education and displacement," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    23. Oketch, Moses, 2024. "SDG 4 targets: Neglected questions on conditions and circumstances for education reforms in Africa," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    24. Edwards, D. Brent, 2024. "Hidden in plain sight: The foundations and limitations of global governance and global goals," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    25. McCowan, Tristan, 2023. "The crosscutting impact of higher education on the Sustainable Development Goals," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
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