International Day of Education

International Day of Education History

International Day of Education aims to promote and honour the crucial role that education plays in global peace and sustainable development. Established by the United Nations (UN), this observance is intended to highlight the importance of inclusive and equitable education for all. It also serves as a call to action to all governments, institutions, and individuals to make education a foremost priority, believing that access to quality education is a human right that should be respected and protected.

International Day of Education holds significant meaning for South Africa as it wrestles with challenges of inclusivity and equitability in its education sector. This day was officially recognised by the UN General Assembly in 2018, driven by the aspiration of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to ensure inclusive and equitable education worldwide. For South Africa, a country still dealing with the educational legacies of apartheid, this focus on inclusive and equitable education aligns very closely with its national agenda. It serves as an avenue for the country to share its successes, discuss its challenges, and explore strategies for improving its education system.

In South Africa, the International Day of Education is observed both at governmental and grassroots levels. Government departments, academic institutions, non-governmental organisations, and community groups engage in various activities to commemorate this day. These activities, driven by the broader UN theme of 'Learning for people, planet, prosperity, and peace', range from policy dialogues and community workshops to public awareness campaigns. While the day is observed globally on January 24, related activities in South Africa often extend throughout the month as part of a broader focus on education.

Top 7 Facts for 2026 International Day of Education in South Africa

• The theme for the 2026 observance is The power of youth in co-creating education, which emphasizes a shift from viewing students as passive recipients to active partners in shaping their own curricula and learning environments.
• UNESCO is set to launch a new global measurement through the Global Education Monitoring Report that specifically evaluates how effectively youth and students are participating in education legislation and national policymaking.
• In South Africa, the day follows the recent 2026 Back-to-School launch by the Department of Basic Education, which has placed a heightened priority on the National School Nutrition Programme to ensure that food security does not remain a barrier to classroom attendance.
• A significant focus for the year involves the expansion of Grade R and early childhood development initiatives, aiming to address the foundational "learning poverty" challenges highlighted by recent cycles of the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study.
• Digital inclusion remains a critical talking point for the local observance as the government continues to roll out broadband connectivity to rural schools to bridge the divide between urban and peri-urban learning outcomes.
• This year's global events will introduce the newest cohort of the SDG4 Youth & Student Network, a platform where young South African leaders can influence the international agenda for equitable and quality education.
• The observance serves as a crucial milestone for assessing the implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA), which has introduced significant changes to school admissions and language policies across the country’s nine provinces.

In the News and Trending in South Africa for International Day of Education

Top things to do in South Africa for International Day of Education

• Films you can watch to celebrate International Day of Education are:
  Waiting for Superman - Although this is an American documentary, it captures the essence of the importance of education and educators in shaping a student's future and has strong messages for education systems worldwide.
  The First Grader - Based on an incredible true story, this film is truly inspiring. It shows the determination of an old Kenyan man, Maruge, who decides to get his education for the first time after the Kenyan government announces free primary education in 2003. While it’s not based in South Africa, it communicates the importance of education for all ages and is relevant to the African continent.
  Beyond the Lighted Stage - A documentary about a school in the most dangerous area of Cape Town, South Africa. The school is on a mission to provide a safe and encouraging learning environment for the students who live in neighboring townships.
  Yesterday - This is a South African movie where a young mother, Yesterday, discovers she has AIDS. Her husband rejects her, and her ambition becomes to live long enough to see her daughter, Beauty, go to school.
• Books you can read to understand the importance of Eduction in Africa are:
  Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela by Nelson Mandela
  Education, Society, and Change in South Africa by Louis Taylor
  Education Policy in South Africa by Sarah Emily Moss
  Getting By: Estates, Class, and Culture in Austerity Britain by Lisa Mckenzie
  Education and other Braai Talk: Conversations on South African Issues by Lara Kirsten