Event outlines Jordan’s commitments to education-based SDG targets

AMMAN — A conference outlining Jordan’s commitment to last-year’s United Nations Transforming Education Summit, held in response to a global crisis in education, was held on Tuesday.

The “Post Transforming Education Summit” Conference was held with the support of UNESCO and UNICEF to mark the International Day of Education, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

During the opening ceremony, Minister of Education Azmi Mahafzah said that education is a fundamental human right due to its “unique ability to develop knowledge, behaviour and values needed in communities to build a just, sustainable and prosperous future”.

Mahafzah added that Jordan’s commitment came as part of response to the global post-pandemic education crisis regarding equality, comprehensiveness and quality.

The minister also referred to the need to renew global financial and political commitments to education and move ahead with achieving the fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 4), which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Acting UN Resident Coordinator Dominik Bartsch stressed the need for a new education system that enables children and youth to reach their full potential.

The conference was attended by 80 participants from public and private organisations, development partners, civil society organisations and young men and women. During the conference, a statement of Jordan’s commitment to SDG 4 was delivered. 

Participants discussed doubling down on efforts and attracting more partnerships to support Jordan in putting its commitments into action.

The Kingdom’s commitments to the summit include the generalisation of phase two of kindergarten, providing a safe and enabling education environment with special attention given to the children who are most likely to be excluded from education, adopting preventative measures for potential crises and increasing investment in information management systems.