International Day of Education
Date/Time
Saturday, January 24, 2026
All Day
Education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development. Without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all, countries will not succeed in achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of children, youth and adults behind.
Today, 250 million children and youth are out of school, and 763 million adults are illiterate. Their right to education is being violated and it is unacceptable. It’s time to transform education.
The power of youth in co-creating education
The theme of the International Day of Education 2026 is The power of youth in co-creating education.
Youth make up more than half of the global population and are a powerful engine for innovation, social change and sustainable development. Yet many still face persistent barriers that hold them back from shaping the future they want — from poverty and inequality to limited access to quality education and decent work.
Because their lives and opportunities are directly shaped by education, young people must be active partners in reimagining how learning works. As technology continues to transform the world, involving youth in co creating modern, relevant and inclusive education systems is essential to ensure teaching and learning truly meet their aspirations.