The African Union will today convene a high-level virtual forum aimed at driving policy action toward fairer education systems across the continent. Timed to coincide with the Day of the African Child, the event will place equity at the forefront of Africa’s education reform agenda as part of the African Union’s Decade of Education (2024–2034).
The two-hour session, taking place online from 15:00 to 17:00 GMT, will bring together education ministers, data specialists, development partners, and youth representatives from across the continent. The webinar is being organized by the AU Commission’s Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI), in partnership with the UNESCO Institute for Statistics and the Global Education Monitoring Report.
Under the theme “Equity at the Heart of the AU Decade of Education,” the meeting will serve as a platform to present the newly developed Africa SDG4 Scorecard 2025—a critical tool designed to track national progress toward inclusive and quality education. The Scorecard measures progress under Sustainable Development Goal 4 and supports alignment with the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA).
As the AU marks the midpoint of its 10-year education initiative, the meeting offers a moment to reflect on the realities faced by children across Africa—especially those excluded from the classroom due to gender, disability, displacement, or poverty.
Spotlight on Data and Leadership
The Scorecard presentation will include updated data on out-of-school children and highlight examples of countries that have made measurable strides in expanding education access. These nations will be recognized for their efforts in reducing inequality and exclusion in schools.
The AU hopes the data will guide member states in shaping evidence-driven policies and inspire stronger political commitments to address education disparities. The session will also underscore how regional coordination and national investment can shape more equitable learning environments.
Voices from the Ground
In addition to technical briefings and country case studies, the webinar will feature input from youth and children, whose perspectives will feed into ongoing AU-level policy dialogue. Officials say integrating the voices of Africa’s younger generations is critical to shaping policies that reflect lived experiences and real challenges.
Aims of the Webinar Include:
- Launching the Africa SDG4 Scorecard 2025 to inform education policymaking.
- Recognizing national progress on access and inclusion in schooling.
- Promoting equity-led approaches across all levels of education systems.
- Creating a platform for ministers to exchange strategies and innovations.
- Advancing regional dialogue around the implementation of CESA and SDG4 benchmarks.
Expected Outcomes:
- Greater awareness of Africa’s education performance trends.
- Stronger alignment between national policies and equity goals.
- Enhanced cooperation among AU member states and education stakeholders.
- More visible youth engagement in shaping education priorities.
- Renewed momentum to fast-track reforms under the AU Decade of Education.
Who’s Participating
The event is expected to draw representatives from AU member states, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), civil society networks, donor agencies, education researchers, and international partners.
Media Access
Journalists are invited to follow the discussions and engage with speakers throughout the event. The session will be broadcast live and accessible to all registered participants.