A Huge Challenge Offering Immense Rewards
Helen Porter is a teacher and executive member of the National Education Union.
I feel enthused and motivated to make my contribution
(however small) to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4:
Quality Education. ‘Ensure inclusive and equitable quality
education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.’
I am passionate about education and believe that an appropriate,
inclusive and quality education allows children to develop the
skills and thought processes that will enable them to become
active citizens. This, in turn, will enable their communities to
develop innovative solutions to their local problems. As they
solve these problems, they will also contribute to our global
effort to achieve sustainable development and tackle the most
significant challenges that are currently facing humanity.
Education underpins all of the other SDGs and allows people
to improve their lives and the lives of others. Statistics from the
United Nations indicate that 262 million children and adolescents
are currently out of school and are unable to access the most
basic education. That is 20% of children between the ages of six
and seventeen that are not attending school. Sadly, 617 million
children and adolescents lack minimum proficiency in reading
and mathematics, so have very limited access to technical skills, self-study and vocational training. This will severely limit
their career options and their potential contributions to society.
One of the major causes of limited quality education is the lack
of trained and qualified teachers. More international cooperation
is urgently needed to increase teacher training opportunities in
developing countries. The poor condition of school buildings
and facilities also contributes to the lack of quality education.
Investment is needed to improve school buildings, so that all
schools have electricity, clean water and sanitation. Some
children arrive at school feeling too hungry, ill or exhausted to
learn. So, it is essential that schools work closely with families
and communities to enable learning opportunities for every
child. We must continue to campaign to persuade governments
to commit to funding education adequately, whilst highlighting
the dangers and pitfalls of the privatisation of education.
When focusing on the ‘inclusive and equitable’ aspect of SDG4,
it is clear that inclusivity and equity have not been achieved.
Whilst major progress has been made in increasing the
enrolment rates of girls in primary education during the last
decade, few countries have achieved gender equality at all
levels of education. We must continue to campaign and strive
for gender equality in secondary, tertiary and higher education.
Children with disabilities, living in poverty and those from ethnic
minorities are less likely to benefit from a quality education.
Much work is necessary to improve access to school buildings
and facilities, so that schools are inclusive to children with
disabilities. Specialist training of staff who educate and care for
children with disabilities is essential to ensure that education
can be fully inclusive to the most vulnerable children.
As a teacher of 35 years experience and with one eye on
my retirement from teaching, I am looking for pathways to
contribute to the successful realisation of SDG4. I am delighted
to find that there are many interesting opportunities open to
me. I have become a Friend of the Steve Sinnott Foundation,
a UNICEF Children’s Champion and am looking forward to two
weeks volunteering at a school in Malawi with Mission Direct. I
feel confident that my increased involvement and networking
will lead to further opportunities and ideas. Raising awareness
is always an excellent starting point. If everyone who feels
passionate about educating the world’s children, contributes
is some small way, our many small efforts will accumulate
and consolidate to ensure that SDG4 is realised by the close
of the decade. The challenge is huge, but the rewards will be
immense.
Children and young people are our future. Educated young
people are empowered young people. They will be equipped
with the skills and imagination that will enable them to
contribute to sustainable growth and development.
From Engage issue 20.
HELEN PORTER • December 17, 2021
On 23rd January at the Cima Community School of Hope (ECEC), the first workshop was held with the first group of students as part of the STEM program. This activity marks a promising start to the program's implementation. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is crucial for children because it fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity from a young age. It nurtures natural curiosity, helps children understand the modern world, and builds resilience through hands-on experimentation. Additionally, early STEM exposure prepares them for future academic and career success. A total of 20 students participated in this first session. The session focused on a general presentation of the importance of computer programming in today's world. The students were also introduced to the Scratch software interface, an educational tool well-suited for teaching children programming. This initial experience went smoothly and generated considerable interest and strong motivation among the students.
At the Steve Sinnott Foundation, we know that planning for the future is one of the most important things you can do for the people and causes you care about. That’s why we’re delighted to offer our staff and volunteers the opportunity to write or update their will this Spring. Whether you’ve been meaning to get started for years, or you simply need to make a few updates, this is the perfect time to take that important step. Join Our Free Will Writing Webinar To help you get started, we’ve partnered with expert estate planners Octopus Legacy , who will be hosting a free webinar(s) covering everything you need to know about writing or updating your will. Staff & Volunteers 12pm, Thursday 5th March Online via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uvirWft7S12lJUby6oUtnQ#/registration Supporters 12pm, Tuesday 10th March Online via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xxJNZd6ZQYKMOs-2fNz0Gg#/registration During the session, you’ll learn: Why it’s important to have an up-to-date will What to consider when writing or updating your will The different types of will-writing services available How Lasting Powers of Attorney work and why they matter How to claim your free will this Spring This webinar is designed to make what can feel like a complex process simple, clear and manageable. Why Having a Will Matters Having an up-to-date will ensures your wishes are respected and your loved ones are protected. Without one, the law decides how your estate is distributed and that may not reflect what you would have wanted. A will gives you peace of mind. It allows you to: Provide clarity and security for your family Appoint guardians for children if needed Make specific gifts to individuals or causes Ensure your estate is handled efficiently Updating your will is just as important as writing one. Life changes marriages, children, property purchases, or changes in circumstances can all affect your wishes. Claim Your Free Will This Spring As part of this initiative, eligible staff and volunteers will have the opportunity to claim a free will-writing service. Full details will be shared during the webinar, including how to access this benefit. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. Writing or updating your will is one of the most responsible and caring decisions you can make for yourself and for those you care about. Register Now Spaces are available now, simply register using the link below: Staff & Volunteers - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uvirWft7S12lJUby6oUtnQ#/registration Supporters - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xxJNZd6ZQYKMOs-2fNz0Gg#/registration We hope you’ll join us on Thursday 5th March and take this positive step towards securing your future.
In my time as an assistant at The Steve Sinnott Foundation (SSF), one of my research tasks was looking into how the Foundation contributed to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I really believe in the work of the Foundation and I have also been raising funds as I believe that every child must have the right to education. SSF is a UK-based educational charity focused on promoting quality education worldwide. It plays a supportive role in achieving the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 4: (Quality Education), but its work contributes to several others as well. Here's how the Foundation supports the SDGs: Goal 4 – Quality education (core focus) The Foundation's main mission is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. It supports teachers and educational initiatives in developing countries. It runs programmes like: The Education for All Campaign – advocating for universal access to education. Teacher empowerment projects – providing training and resources to educators in under-resourced countries. Girls' education programmes – encouraging and supporting girls to stay in school and complete their education. Goal 3 – Good health and well-being Through education, particularly health-related programmes, the Foundation contributes to raising awareness about hygiene, nutrition, and mental health. The Foundation has developed a range of webinars to promote health and wellbeing and these can be found on YouTube. Goal 5 – Gender equality The Foundation promotes girls' education, directly addressing barriers that prevent girls from accessing and completing school. It advocates for the rights of women and girls, especially in patriarchal or disadvantaged societies. Goal 8 – Decent work and economic growth By improving access to education and vocational training, the Foundation helps create employment opportunities. Educated individuals have better chances of securing decent work. Goal 10 – Reduced inequalities It supports marginalised groups, including children in rural or conflict-affected areas, contributing to reducing global inequalities in education. Goal 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions Promotes education as a force for peace and conflict resolution. Supports democratic participation and awareness through educational programmes that foster community engagement. Goal 17 – Partnerships for the goals Collaborates with NGOs, unions, schools, and governments to deliver and advocate for education projects. Builds international partnerships to achieve the SDGs through education. Summary While The Steve Sinnott Foundation's primary focus is on Goal 4, it contributes to many of the SDGs by empowering communities through education, particularly: Gender equality (Goal 5), Health (Goal 3), Economic growth (Goal 8), Reducing inequality (Goal 10), Peace (Goal 16), and Partnerships (Goal 17). The Foundation’s programmes also contribute to the achievement of other SDGs through the power of the provision of education and life-long learning; 1. No Poverty, 2. Zero Hunger, 13. Climate Action. We believe that all of the 17 SDGs are only achievable by ensuring that all children, wherever they are born, deserve the human right of quality education. Over 250 million children are still out of school and the global out-of-school population has reduced by only 1% in nearly ten years, according to the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report 2024. There is still much work to do in achieving equitable and quality Education for All.
