International Day of Education

International Day of Education History

International Day of Education seeks to emphasize the crucial role of education in promoting peace and development. The day is not only aimed at raising awareness about the importance of education for everyone's wellbeing, equality and sustainability but also focuses on illuminating the unresolved issues in education that are yet to achieve significant improvements globally. The purpose of this observance day also points towards the ongoing global education crisis due to lack of resources, opportunities, or political instability which prevent many children from receiving basic education.

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed International Day of Education on December 3, 2018 in recognition of the role of education for peace and development. For New Zealand, this day has a unique significance as education is one of the critical pillars of its society. New Zealand is known globally for its high standards in education and its innovative methods of teaching and learning. By observing International Day of Education, New Zealand reaffirms its commitment to ensuring quality education for all of its residents. Moreover, it is an opportunity to spotlight the advancements New Zealand has made in the realm of education, and also to acknowledge the areas in need of improvement to ensure equal access to education for all.

In New Zealand, International Day of Education is generally observed with various seminars, presentations, and workshops focusing on enhancing the quality of education. Many educational institutions hold events where educators, researchers, and policy makers discuss the prevailing trends and challenges in the field of education. Additionally, various social and digital media campaigns are also run to raise awareness on the importance of quality education for all. Though not a public holiday, this observance takes place annually on January 24th.

Top 8 Facts for 2026 International Day of Education in NZ

• The 2026 observance is centred on the theme The power of youth in co-creating education, highlighting a global shift toward treating students as active partners rather than passive recipients in the design of their learning systems.
• To coincide with the day, the Global Education Monitoring Report will release a new publication titled Lead with Youth, which introduces a first-of-its-kind measurement to assess how effectively different countries involve young people in education legislation and policy development.
• For New Zealanders, this international focus aligns with the nationwide implementation of mandatory financial literacy for students in Years 1 through 10, a significant curriculum change starting in 2026 that covers everything from basic savings to the complexities of digital wallets and cryptocurrency markets.
• The 2026 milestone also marks a critical deadline for New Zealand schools to enact new attendance management plans, as part of a government mandate to ensure 80 percent of students are present for more than 90 percent of the school term by 2030.
• UNESCO will use the occasion to introduce the latest cohort of the SDG4 Youth & Student Network, a global platform that provides New Zealand youth representatives with a direct channel to influence international decision-makers and advocate for educational equity.
• The observance follows the passing of the Education and Training Amendment Act 2025, which reshapes the priorities of school boards across Aotearoa to make "educational achievement" the paramount objective while maintaining requirements to seek equitable outcomes for Māori students.
• New Zealand's participation in this global day underscores a period of "tectonic" shifts in the local schooling system, including the transition to a structured literacy approach for teaching reading and a more rigorous national mathematics curriculum.
• Higher education institutions in New Zealand are also entering a new era of accountability in 2026, as they are now required to publish formal statements on freedom of expression and establish dedicated complaints processes for issues regarding academic freedom.

In the News and Trending in NZ for International Day of Education

Top things to do in NZ for International Day of Education

• Popular books to read about the importance of education in New Zealand are:
  The New Zealand Education System: An Overview by Harold Entwistle
  The Politics of Learning and Teaching in Aotearoa - New Zealand Edited by Eve Coxon, Kuni Jenkins, James Marshall
  Education in New Zealand: An Oxford Bibliography by Warwick James Elley
  Education and Society in Aotearoa New Zealand by Hugh Lauder
  Exploring Society: Sociology for New Zealand Students by Claudia Bell
• Popular things to do on International Day of Education in New Zealand are:
  1) Visit the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa: Located in Wellington, this museum offers interactive learning experiences about New Zealand’s history and culture. Education-focused exhibits and activities could align with the day.
  2) Enjoy an Educational Tour at Wellington Zoo: Zoos typically have education programs where visitors learn about animals, conservation, and wildlife. A visit here could fit the observance's ethos.
  3) Explore New Zealand's education history at Fergusson Hall: It's an exhibit that gives information about the history of education in New Zealand.