International Day of Education

  Definition of terms.  Imagine a school where students actively participate in shaping their education, co-designing lessons, and leading initiatives that impact their community . In this environment, students feel a deep sense of ownership, motivation, and belonging. Teachers listen to and incorporate students' perspectives, treating them with the same seriousness and respect as their own professional insights. Research and practice have shown that schools fostering meaningful youth engagement see improvements in academic performance, youth well-being, and overall school culture . Schools that prioritize engagement create spaces where students feel valued and empowered, leading to long-term success in both academic and life pursuits. Meaningful youth engagement goes beyond traditional participation; it requires a cultural shift where youth are recognized as essential stakeholders in the learning process. This shift benefits not just the students but the entire school ecosy...

  Implementing youth engagement strategies is only effective if schools continuously assess their impact and make necessary adjustments. This section outlines methods for monitoring and evaluating engagement, using data, feedback, and reflection to ensure that youth participation remains meaningful, sustainable, and aligned with the school’s goals. Key metrics  • Student attendance & participation rates : Increased engagement often leads to improved attendance and participation in both academic and extracurricular activities.  • Student feedback surveys : Regularly conduct surveys to assess how youth perceive their level of engagement in school decision-making and learning experiences.  • Observations & focus groups : Conduct qualitative research through classroom observations and youth focus groups to understand how engagement initiatives are being received.  Continuous improvement  • Iterative feedback : Schools should implement a cycle of feedb...

  To support the successful implementation of youth engagement strategies , this section provides access to practical tools, templates, and resources that schools can use to assess progress, facilitate collaboration, and refine their approaches over time.  Practical resources  • Engagement surveys & leadership rubrics: Structured tools to measure youth engagement levels and leadership development.  • Student-administrator meeting templates: Frameworks to ensure youth voice is effectively integrated into school decision-making.  • Sample implementation timeline: A step-by-step guide to rolling out engagement strategies within a school year.  Access the materials that are ready to use, or that can be adapted to your context, here: Tools & Resources

   This section identifies common barriers and provides practical solutions to help schools navigate these obstacles and sustain their engagement efforts . Common challenges & how to overcome them  • Lack of awareness : Some educators may feel hesitant about shifting towards unfamiliar territory. To address this, schools should provide professional development workshops that highlight the benefits of engagement and showcase success stories. Lack of time & resources : Teachers often struggle to implement engagement strategies due to heavy workloads. Schools can embed engagement activities into existing curricula and use free digital tools to facilitate student voice initiatives. Limited student interest : If students are not used to being engaged in decision-making, they may initially resist participation. Schools should foster a culture where student input is valued, such as with recognition, and provide diverse opportunities for engagement. Poor judgment by stud...

  While classroom engagement is essential, a truly student-centred school extends beyond lessons to empower youth in decision-making, leadership, and community initiatives. This section explores strategies for fostering school-wide engagement, ensuring that youth have meaningful roles in shaping school culture, governance, and extracurricular activities. Student decision-making roles  • Youth representation in governance : Include students in curriculum committees, school boards, and faculty meetings. Their perspectives can help shape policies that directly impact them.  • Leadership councils : Establish youth advisory councils that provide input on school initiatives and policies, ensuring that youth voices are heard at an institutional level.  • Student-led conferences : Instead of traditional parent-teacher conferences, allow students to lead discussions about their progress and set learning goals.  o Quick tip : Co-organize periodic “Town Hall Meetings” with...

 Creating meaningful youth engagement requires more than just implementing activities—it starts with a strong foundation built on shared vision , inclusive school culture , and collaborative leadership . Co-creating a vision for meaningful engagement  • A shared vision for youth engagement ensures that all stakeholders—students, teachers, administrators, and families—are aligned in their goals and expectations . For example, a school might hold student-led visioning workshops where students brainstorm what an engaging school looks like and develop guiding principles alongside educators.  • Schools can also create a " Youth Engagement Charter ", a living document co-authored by students and staff, outlining commitments such as ensuring youth representation in decision-making or integrating youth voice into curriculum design. A sample charter can be found in the Tools and Resources section.  o Quick tip: Start small by conducting a simple survey asking students, “Wh...

  The Three dimensions of engagement are • Cognitive engagement | “I enjoy solving problems that don’t have just one answer.” Students invest in their learning by reflecting deeply, thinking critically, and striving to understand and apply knowledge. Schools that promote cognitive engagement empower students to take ownership of their learning, developing habits that support lifelong curiosity, self-reflection, and intellectual growth.  • Socio-emotional engagement | “I feel motivated when my opinion counts.” Students build a strong sense of belonging, cultivate positive relationships with teachers and peers, and foster enthusiasm for learning. Socio-emotional engagement helps students thrive academically and personally, contributing to their overall well-being and creating an environment where they feel supported and motivated.  • Behavioural engagement |“I like when I get to present instead of just listening.” Students actively participate in school activities, maint...

Organized by UNESCO and the UN Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning , the International Day of Education 2025 will delve into the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in reshaping education and learning. Under the theme of International Day of Education 2025, "Preserving human agency in a world of automation" , UNESCO is organizing a global event in New York to spotlight the dynamic interplay between AI and education . How AI technologies are revolutionizing teaching and learning practices, while education, in turn, serves as a guiding force to ensure that AI is ethical, inclusive, and aligned with human values? More particularly, the event aims to: Encourage reimagining education in an age of AI and welcome new and improved possibilities for teaching, learning, school environments, curriculum, educational organization and assessment. Promote critical AI literacies by discussing how educators and learners can be empowered with the competencies...

  The high-level event to mark the  International Day of Education 2025  will encourage reimagining education in an age of AI and welcome new and improved possibilities for teaching , learning, school environments, curriculum, educational organization and assessment.

 The high-level event to mark the  International Day of Education 2025  will promote critical AI literacies by discussing how educators and learners can be empowered with the competencies needed to understand, assess and influence AI technologies , in line with the guidance contained in the UNESCO AI Competency Frameworks for Teachers and Students.

The high-level event to mark the International Day of Education 2025 will showcase how to Advocate for a human-centered approach to AI integration in education , i.e. an approach that prioritizes human control, transparency, and accountability in AI design and deployment, while ensuring it serves to expand human capabilities , uphold human dignity and agency, and promote justice and sustainability throughout its entire life cycle. Artificial Intelligence can assist humans by automating tasks , analyzing data for insights, improving decision-making , enhancing customer experiences , and accelerating innovation , ultimately leading to more efficient and convenient lives.

On January 2025; The  International Day of Education 2025  aims to ensure that AI complements, rather than replaces, the essential human elements of learning, including the cultivation of in-person relationships and emotional intelligence .

  Building a strong foundation for engagement is only the first step—true transformation happens in the classroom, where students experience learning firsthand and spend the most time in school. This section provides practical, student-centred strategies that teachers can use to make lessons more engaging, interactive, and meaningful , reinforcing the school-wide commitment to youth voice and participation.  o Quick tip: Apply teaching strategies and tools that are grounded in positivity and designed to cultivate a positive mindset among students and positive culture in your classroom. Choice-based learning  Active learning engages students by making them participants in their education rather than passive recipients of information. This approach benefits from less rigid hierarchies in classroom settings, where both teachers and students are encouraged to learn from each other—fostering mutual respect, collaboration, and a dynamic exchange of ideas that enriches the lear...