On the occasion of International Education Day, celebrated this year under the theme “AI and Education: Human Agency in an Automated World,” Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) reaffirms the significance of education as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone for achieving peace and sustainable development.

Education is a powerful tool for addressing rapid technological advancements and promoting equality and social justice.

WJWC underscores that education is both a human right and a global responsibility. Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines the right to education for every individual, emphasizing the necessity of free primary education and the equitable expansion of higher education opportunities. However, international reports, including those from UNICEF, reveal that 244 million children and adolescents worldwide are deprived of education, and 617 million lack basic proficiency in reading, writing, and arithmetic.

Education in Conflict Zones

WJWC draws attention to the dire state of education in conflict-affected areas such as Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Libya. Armed conflicts have devastated thousands of schools, with many repurposed as military sites or shelters, depriving millions of children of their fundamental right to education.

In the Arab region, education faces multifaceted crises, including:

• Destruction of Infrastructure: Armed conflicts have led to the widespread destruction of schools, turning them into military barracks or centers for displaced persons.
• Politicization of Curricula: Educational content is often used as a tool for propagating ideologies, undermining critical thinking, innovation, and creativity.
• Deteriorating Quality: Many institutions struggle to meet the standards required in the digital age.
• Gender Disparities: Girls in rural and marginalized areas face significant barriers to education, exacerbating the gender gap.

Artificial Intelligence and Education: Opportunity and Challenge

WJWC recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) offers promising opportunities to enhance education quality and accessibility. However, leveraging these benefits requires well-defined policies to ensure human agency and protect education from the negative impacts of rapid digital transformation.

Calls and Recommendations

On this occasion, WJWC urges immediate action to:

• Ensure inclusive, equitable education, especially for children and youth in conflict zones.
• Rebuild educational infrastructure in war-affected countries and provide safe learning environments.
• Update curricula to incorporate digital skills and foster critical thinking, innovation, and creativity.
• Increase investment in higher education aligned with labor market demands.
• Eliminate ideological influences from educational content, ensuring neutrality and alignment with universal human values.

WJWC also urges the international community to intensify efforts to support education in conflict zones, allocate adequate funding for rebuilding educational institutions, and uphold education for all as a key commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Conclusion

On this International Day of Education, WJWC reaffirms the vital role of education as a human right and a transformative force for achieving equality, justice, and development. Education is the gateway to a brighter, more sustainable future and must remain a global priority to build prosperous and advanced societies.