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VOL. 12, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Agenda for sustainable development: Inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all - Indian experience
Authors
Dr. R Karthikeyan, V Nalini
Abstract
Sustainable Development of an economy is not
possible without considering the quality education and it is very obvious
to observe that the 2030 SDG agenda, it has become clear that achieving the
SDGs is far from possible without the education sector’s significant
involvement in the cause. Education for Sustainable Development has been
recognized as an integral contributor to achieving several SDGs. This has been
particularly evident in the fourth SDG, which advocates for: “inclusive and
equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all.” In this context
the present paper tries to study the incidence of Gender Inequalities in
Education and its Solutions at macro level. Education for Sustainable
Development can help change our future. From the scanning of the SDGs, the
Seven Targets of the SDG 4 viz, Universal primary and secondary
education; Early childhood development and universal pre-primary education;
Equal success to technical/ vocational and higher education; Relevant skills
for decent work; Gender equality and inclusion; Universal Youth Literacy; and.
Education for sustainable development and global citizenship can facilitate for
reaching sustainable development in general and ensuring equal access for all
women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and
tertiary education, including university; and eliminating gender
disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and
vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities,
indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations. It is fond hope that
continued support from authorities, appropriate policies and laws, responsible
action by individuals and communities, and above all a deep compassion for our
planet will together bring Sustainable development in the economy. The present
paper makes an attempt to have a descriptive analysis on the enrolment Pattern
in general and particularly, in terms of Level wise and Social Group wise
Enrolments, Efficiency indicators, Disparity and Expenditure on Education in
India during 2020-21 -2024-25; to analyse the extent of inequalities in
education in India; and to offer possible strategies for strengthening the
education in India. This paper concludes that to achieve SDG 4 by 2030, the
government needs to invest more in education, particularly in early childhood
education, teacher training and development, and digital infrastructure.
Private sector partnerships can also play a crucial role in improving access to
quality education. As education is a comprehensive issue that also constitutes
an individual goal, it necessitates concerted efforts spanning various sectors,
as well as continuous supervision and implementation of adequate resource
allotment for supporting educational requirements.
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Pages:286-293
How to cite this article:
Dr. R Karthikeyan, V Nalini "Agenda for sustainable development: Inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all - Indian experience". International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, Vol 12, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 286-293
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