The 17 SDGs adopted by the United Nations in 2015 constitute a significant step up in scale and ambition in that they apply to all nations, whether developed or developing. Actions to achieve the Goals are demanding and education is seen as central.

It is expressly important as SDG 4, which commits nations to ‘Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all’. Targets and indicators indicate more specifically the broad intent behind this Goal. 

The paper celebrates the inclusion of lifelong learning within the education goal and that it gives recognition to the contributions of formal, non-formal and informal education sectors.  The paper also highlights the importance of a rights-based approach to education. It draws attention to several tensions which are apparent in the delivery of this goal arising from narrow measures of attainment and conceptual tensions around the scope and role of educational programmes.

Educational policy faces challenges over the broadening-out of education provision from an over-emphasis on school-based education to include the community contribution, and over the provision of sufficient financial resources.